Engine and Transmission Tech

Ok so I'm back pedaling on the fabrication of the valve covers... Do you guys think the offy covers are tall enough for my 544 lift?

I bet woody at the wedgeshop would know... I know on the SBC stuff the height really only makes a big diff when running a stud girdle..Where you run into a issue is the rockers rubbing on the inside of the cover... That is why when you see fabricated covers for a SBC that are kicked out on the sides.. specially clearenced on the pushrod side.. .



Note how the bolt holes have a tunnel running down to them because the sides are kicked out for added clearance...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/2009 01:54PM by hoffbug.

Nic, Tried 340 oem.'s? I sold them to Real Steel to clear rockers better. Kinda look cool too.roverman.

Yeah. They totally look cool. I wish they worked. Here's a pic:



They bump the top of the covers just a touch. I suppose I could make spacers...

Aren't the Rover covers taller?

Jim

Not sure. They're definitely taller on the side I don't need them to be. I sorta wish they were beveled the other way instead of upright for a level surface.

Nic-et. all, My "Huff" motor uses cast, late Rovers, with-out spacers. Using roller cam, lotsa spring and lift. They had to "notch" underside at filler port, to clear Volvo rockers. Second look? roverman.

Thanks man. That's what I was looking for. Actually one more thing. Can you measure your Rover cover on the intake side and tell me how high it is? I need about 3" at least I think. I'll double check.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/25/2009 06:48PM by NixVegaGT.

Hi, I am building a 4.0 with Buick 300 crank and heads. I am using Harland Sharp roller rockers and the stock Rover/TR8 rocker covers will not fit. Bill

OK that settles that. Thanks Bill. I've got the same setup so on to another solution. I think I may make spacers and get some SBC fabbed covers then.

OK so I've had some feedback from guys who got the fabbed covers and they weren't great. Then I thought I'd search for cast ones. I found some nice cast SBC covers for just another $40. Comp Cams makes some nice cast covers for $119 from Summit.

Then I thought, since I'm fabricating some adapters anyway, why not peep how much TA sells their Buick rockers. $139, not bad! I was looking for something natural cast anyway so they fit the bill just fine and they look really cool.



Here's my question. How close is the valve cover flange size of the 350 vs. the 215/340? I've only seen adapter plates for Ford or Chevy but that is probably because of all the offerings. I figured I'd fab my own adapter plates anyway so why not go for some covers that are way different than the typical Chevy or Ford.

What do you guys think?

For about ,$3,800. more you can have some pretty good heads and rockers, that will almost fit? When I learn to post pictures,(nine thumbs), I have, Really Tall , "Buicks" in 1 pc. and 2 pc., cast alum.,(removable lid for hot-lash adjustments). I wish our forum had a "store" for sales of rare and needed parts like the "Jensen Healey Presevation Society" does. Might be a good, reliable source of income for the forum. Maybe an online or printed book of "How To" and How it was Done" resource? As a manufacturer, I would cut a good deal. Thoughts anyone? roverman.

The TA covers are as good as they come from what I've heard but that doesn't mean perfect by any means. Look carefully at the extra machining operations as they affect cost. They will certainly set off the engine nicely.

I had Gary bring over a SBC head and we set Buick valve covers on it. I don't think you're going to like it though. The SBC hangs out 5/16" on each end so it wouldn't look right. The top bolts are off about 1/4" each and the bottom ones are off about 1/2" each. The corners on the SBC are squared off a lot more. I just don't think it'd look good myself, better to just make up a set of risers if you need the extra space.

Jim

Nick,

A better solution for probably the same work would be to buy a second set of the flat top rover covers and then cut the flanges of one set and cut the second set to give the height you need and weld them.

Allow enough height so that the baffles can be retained or you will get excess oil blown out but watch out for the height interfering with your intended induction system.

Kevin.

Nick,

A better solution for probably the same work would be to buy a second set of the flat top rover covers and then cut the flanges of one set and cut the second set to give the height you need and weld them.

Allow enough height so that the baffles can be retained or you will get excess oil blown out but watch out for the height interfering with your intended induction system.

Also make sure you have enough room internally for the end rocker shaft supports.

Kevin.

I measured the flanges on my Buick 340 covers they measured just under 5" wide and almost 18.75" long at the outside edge of the flange.

I found some dimensions that correlate with yours, Jim. 5.12" wide and 19.625 long. Here's a pic of those:



It looks like I could chop off the ends of the flange part and be fine but then I probably don't have a flange anymore. LOL!

Thanks so much for going to the trouble of checking a chevy head for me. That's great info and good input for my decision. I should have said in my post "350 vs. 215/340" that I was asking if the Buick 350 flange was much different. Anybody know what the Buick 350 flange dimensions are?

It is also true that I could just make spacers for the Offy or Rover covers... For the 340 covers for that matter, which may not be a bad idea. I just figured if I was going to the trouble maybe I should make adapters instead and use those cool TA covers.

I think the only difference in the 350 SBB covers is in the bolt hole locations. Mike Jr at TA says they are looking at drilling the flanges of their new heads to accept either the Rover or the 350 covers so it sounds like they are the same anyway. Heck, for what they're planning on charging they ought to include the 350 valve covers.

Guess you could build up a little weld and drill your heads for the 350 pattern...

Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2009 11:58AM by BlownMGB-V8.

I was thinking the same thing about welding bosses on for the 350 bolt pattern. It might be easier than fabricating a bolt on adapter plate. The heads are super clean right now so it'd be good timing.

Hello Nicolas,

Mine Rovertec Rocker Covers (specially made for roller rockers) are around 1/2" taller than stock square Rover rocker cover.

Crap. I just realized I didn't post any pix of the TA covers on the Rover yet. I still need to fabricate some adapter plates but here's what it'll look like. COOL!




The angle is sorta weird and pretty tight because of it but there's definitely room for the rockers and 544 lift. I suppose I could put an angled adapter plate on there... What do you guys think?