#1  
Old 11-09-2019, 07:26 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default Valve covers

Anybody have any problems getting valve covers to fit Edelbrock heads? I have tried two different sets and can’t get all the bolts started. I tried set screws and I can’t get them to line up either. The company I ordered the first set from told me to enlarge the holes. That didn’t work cause they didn’t have enough meat. The second set I ordered were from a different company and they wouldn’t guarantee they would fit Edelbrock heads for whatever reason. I ordered a set of chrome Edelbrock to try now but I really want a finned aluminum set.

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #2  
Old 11-10-2019, 07:59 AM
steve25's Avatar
steve25 steve25 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Westchester NY
Posts: 14,630
Default

All I can tell is that the chrome Edelbrock covers and the once very nice Moroso chrome covers have very little chrome plating these days and will start to show signs of rust pitting in a years time even when waxed up well!
If I where to use either of these covers again I would resolve myself to getting them re-chromed even before I used them.

__________________
Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs!
And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs!

1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set.

Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks.

1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes.
Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph.

Education is what your left with once you forget things!
  #3  
Old 11-10-2019, 08:33 AM
OCMDGTO's Avatar
OCMDGTO OCMDGTO is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ocean City Md
Posts: 1,192
Default

Stock covers w fat gaskets on mine

__________________
Chris D
69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w Ram Air manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, T400, 9" w 3.50s 3905lbs 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60'
  #4  
Old 11-10-2019, 10:22 AM
grivera's Avatar
grivera grivera is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Just south of Baltimore
Posts: 4,889
Default

Are you saying the bolt holes on valve covers won't line up with the corresponding bolt holes on the heads? My repro factory chrome valve covers line up with the d-port e-heads bolt holes just fine. I've never heard of anyone having the issue you mention with regard to the e-heads.

__________________
Will Rivera

'69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears
'64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears
'69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project

Last edited by grivera; 11-10-2019 at 10:59 AM.
  #5  
Old 11-10-2019, 10:44 AM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

There is a lot of negative feedback on the finned aluminum valve covers on amazon. The company that I bought the from said one in ten is off and the holes have to be drilled out. I ordered two sets and both were off

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #6  
Old 11-10-2019, 12:39 PM
JSchmitz's Avatar
JSchmitz JSchmitz is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Union, MO
Posts: 2,131
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 64speed View Post
There is a lot of negative feedback on the finned aluminum valve covers on amazon. The company that I bought the from said one in ten is off and the holes have to be drilled out. I ordered two sets and both were off
I had to open up the holes in mine. Not terrible. Also the breather hole isn't centered between the rocker arms and the hole is too big. I made some sleeves on the lathe and epoxied them in.

  #7  
Old 11-10-2019, 02:09 PM
"QUICK-SILVER" "QUICK-SILVER" is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LaFayette Georgia
Posts: 5,512
Default Don't Drill

Don't drill unless the holes are too small.

To make them fit....Use a rat tail file and divide distance up between all the holes. A little bit on every hole is better than a bunch on a single hole.

Had some old M/T's or Cal-Custom covers that were suppose to use the tall wing nut (T looking) bolts. 1/2" bolt head wouldn't even fit in the indention.
Ended up using machine screws and a flat blade screw driver.

Clay

  #8  
Old 11-10-2019, 02:39 PM
Chris65LeMans's Avatar
Chris65LeMans Chris65LeMans is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,591
Default

The problem isn’t in the heads - it’s in the valve covers.

__________________
1965 Pontiac LeMans. M21, 3.73 in a 12 bolt, Kauffman 461.
  #9  
Old 11-10-2019, 08:31 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

Well I ordered a little bit more expensive brand of finned covers. I am only talking about them being off just enough to piss you off. If this set doesn’t fit I am going to take them to the machine shop and have them drilled out equally.

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #10  
Old 11-10-2019, 08:48 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

The set I just sold fit like a glove. I should have kept them and just had them chromed

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #11  
Old 11-10-2019, 09:11 PM
Steve C. Steve C. is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Liberty Hill, Tx. (Austin)
Posts: 10,385
Default

Electroplating aluminium is not a easy task to be done right !


.

__________________
'70 TA / 505 cid / same engine but revised ( previous best 10.63 at 127.05 )
Old information here:
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/0712p...tiac-trans-am/

Sponsor of the world's fastest Pontiac powered Ford Fairmont (engine)
5.14 at 140 mph (1/8 mile) , true 10.5 tire, stock type suspension
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoJnIP3HgE
  #12  
Old 11-15-2019, 10:36 PM
242177P's Avatar
242177P 242177P is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,709
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 64speed View Post
The set I just sold fit like a glove.
A bird in the hand... I'm thinking if ALL the valvecovers don't fit, your machinist might have made your old ones fit?

You really need to post some measurements. Or pics. Or both. My tape measure shows center to center is just under 10 1/2" and just under 4 1/2" on an OE valvecover. You might even be able to use the gaskets to help you figure out which one is the greater offender, do they fit the heads or valvecovers better??

  #13  
Old 11-11-2019, 12:44 AM
glhs#116's Avatar
glhs#116 glhs#116 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Durham, UK
Posts: 1,627
Default

Round port Edelbrock heads fit my factory valve covers perfectly. I suspect the valve covers. Head should be a precision machined part.

Sam

__________________
--

Sam Agnew

Where you come from is gone; where you thought you were going to, weren't never there; and where you are ain't no good unless you can get away from it.
Ministry - Jesus Built My Hotrod
  #14  
Old 11-11-2019, 07:00 AM
steve25's Avatar
steve25 steve25 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Westchester NY
Posts: 14,630
Default

Sorry, I was referring to steel valve covers.

__________________
Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs!
And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs!

1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set.

Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks.

1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes.
Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph.

Education is what your left with once you forget things!
  #15  
Old 11-11-2019, 07:30 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

Its not the heads its just cheap Chinese valve covers. EVERY review on Amazon says they had to open the hole a little bit to get them to fit. My first set from a different vendor fit perfectly so I ordered from my first vendor and if they dont fit I am gonna use my drill press and drill the holes one size bigger because they are only off enough to piss you off. I mean you can see the set screw thru the hole its just halfway covered. On a side not I have stripped one of the head valve cover bolt holes taking the bolts in and out. I am going to put double sided tape on the inside of the head to catch any chips and I am gonna drill and helicoil that hole. Is that hole blind or does an oil gallery run under it or anything? Can I drill it and helicoil it safely?

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #16  
Old 11-14-2019, 11:04 AM
goatman1970 goatman1970 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Belpre, OH, USA
Posts: 24
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 64speed View Post
Its not the heads its just cheap Chinese valve covers. EVERY review on Amazon says they had to open the hole a little bit to get them to fit. My first set from a different vendor fit perfectly so I ordered from my first vendor and if they dont fit I am gonna use my drill press and drill the holes one size bigger because they are only off enough to piss you off. I mean you can see the set screw thru the hole its just halfway covered. On a side not I have stripped one of the head valve cover bolt holes taking the bolts in and out. I am going to put double sided tape on the inside of the head to catch any chips and I am gonna drill and helicoil that hole. Is that hole blind or does an oil gallery run under it or anything? Can I drill it and helicoil it safely?
you should ask the vendor or manufacturer about that

  #17  
Old 11-15-2019, 08:09 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

Well I have tried every set of finned valve covers on the summit website except for the Edelbrock and none of them fit. I know it’s not the heads but the actual cheap ass chinese castings. I can’t afford to drop almost 300 bucks on the Edelbrock and then turn around and have them machined for breathers so I bought a set of chrome Edelbrock just to get by. I don’t understand how these people sell these things and people force them to work rather than force them to raise the quality.

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #18  
Old 11-15-2019, 08:59 PM
Paul E Paul E is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Oshkosh WI
Posts: 311
Default

Wrong it is the heads. I had to open up the holes on my factory valve covers to fit mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  #19  
Old 11-16-2019, 03:23 AM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

No my old ones fit fine. They were on my 326 before they were on my 455. He didn’t do anything to clean them up

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #20  
Old 11-16-2019, 03:26 AM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

Just looking at the valve cover I am about to send back, even if I did drill the holes huge and force them to fit they would be leakers. You can tell that they are just enough off to where they wouldn’t ride the valve cover ridge properly.

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:03 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017