Soooooooo close yet so far... need one small thing.

[kelseydum]

I was about ready to fire up the motor (sbc 350), but of course, ran into one more small problem. I have been planning on running some shorty block hugger headers flipped up to point up instead of down. All the while I was using the old stock beat up valve covers to mock up everything. Come to find out most of the "short" valve covers I'm finding are too wide at the top or just plain too tall to work with my headers flipped like this. The stock valve covers are kind of rounded on the outer edge making them shorter on one side than the other.

My question is... Does anyone know of some COOL valve covers that may have this same rounded or slanted outer edge and are between 2 1/4" - 2 1/2" in height? I really hate that this limits my choice of valve covers and will probably find some different headers eventually... maybe some zoomies or lakes. For now I have to make this work, even if I have to use the old stock covers. I want to hear this motor run![S[S[S

 

[hotrod preacher]

i maybe misunderstanding you, but is there a possibility of making a thick flange/spacer and putting it between the head and header to gain clearance-

-just a thought--and i tend to look at things from a skewed perspective sometimes--but i had to mention it..

 

[bob w]

To add to HRP's very good suggestion: Space your headers out 1/4" to 3/8" with a stack of washers. See if the valve covers you prefer fit. If so, buy a pair of header flanges to use as spacers. You'll need 4 gaskets. We want to hear is run too!

 

[kelseydum]

I saw a person on eBay or somewhere I Googled that sold these flanges your talking about. They are 3/8" thick but are $70 a pair. This may be cheaper than buying new headers and I might be able to use more of a variety of valve covers. Thanks for the advice.

I didn't know if the flange would have problems sealing. If anyone has done this let me know.

Thanks again.

 

[dmw56]

See if you can find a rusted out pair of headers on CL or at some speed shop. The flanges should still be good just cut the pipes off. Should be able to get them free or close to it.

 

[RoddingRon]

 

[kelseydum]

See if you can find a rusted out pair of headers on CL or at some speed shop. The flanges should still be good just cut the pipes off. Should be able to get them free or close to it.

I was talking to a guy about this today. It doesn't look like it would be very hard. I just can't go too far out on the left side because of my steering column, but that may work.

My father in law bought the same headers (different brand) in ceramic coating and they seem to stick out a little further or may be closer to a 90 degree angle than mine are. Coincidentally they wouldn't fit his 40' coupe for some reason. Now I just have to talk him out of them.

I still want to find some old headers for free and try the flange idea though.

Thanks guys... and for the pic RoddingRod. I don't know if I'm just going to put some cherry bombs and kickouts on them or what yet. I like that what you have in the pic.