My roller rockers are taping the valve covers and it makes for quite an annoying noise, and plus it can't be good for the valves. Anyone know of some nice wide tall valve covers for a SBC? I have the gm performance alluminum valve covers, they look nice but they are way too narrow...

I don't have much experience with the SBC, but I had the same issue on my BBC. I just took the offending roller rockers (only had a couple hitting) and buffed down the corners of the rockers to get the clearance.

Rob

Are they turned the right way?

SBC valve covers have a DEFINITE intake side and exhaust side. The intake side stands up straighter, while the exhaust side is more "leaned in". If they're backwards, i.e. exhaust side facing the intake, the push rod end of the rocker will hit the side of the cover on the intake side.

It is inconceivable that GM doesn't know what size the internals of the motor are.

I would not modify the rockers. I'd just put the VCs on the right way to fix it.

There are several different kinds of valve covers for smallblock chevies, but this is the FIRST time I've ever heard that they had a definate intake/exhaust side and I've been around Chevrolet all my life. I can see that certain kinds of valve covers might be made that way, but not your run of the mill Chevrolet valve covers. There were the older ones with the intake side holes closer together than the exhaust side, but thats all I know about.

A friend of mine has some of the aluminum covers I think from Pro-form, could be wrong there, but they definately have an intake/exhaust side to them. He had rockers rubbing the covers. We then took a closer look at the covers and turned them around. Problem solved.

if its just ticking, try thicker gaskets see if you can get some more clearance

We make a cover that fits the 23 or 18 degree SBC head. It is designed for engines running over 1.7 ratio rockers. The cover will clear any rocker and they are unique looking. You can get them through board members Wolfplace or CNCBlocks.

I already tried the larger gaskets... I tried turning them around, they are just big rockers... I would like to get new smaller ones, but i have no i idea what to get or how to install them. How much do those valve covers run?

are your covers the ones that bow down at the ends, front and rear of engine?? I have 1.6 rockers and use the standard type aluminum tall and not bowed at the ends and have no problems..

i don't think so... I have the aluminum die cast valve covers http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpartsjsp/partlist.jsp?cat=9382&section=ep... i have no idea what rockers i have... but i bet i have 1.6 because it says not to use those valve covers with 1.6 rockers... haha that's how my luck goes.

So i need to do one of the two... new roller rockers, or new valve covers how much are rockers... and what rockers should i get... i have no idea

Covers will be less than rockers and a lot faster to install. I have some swap meet covers on my SBC, they are probably a generic brand. Cast aluminum, ball on the top. The clear my Harland Sharp rollers and seal well.

Well I've seen a lot smaller rockers then the ones i have... and they are the only internal thing in my engine that i reused. I think it's time for new ones, what do you think?

I don't have much experience with the SBC, but I had the same issue on my BBC. I just took the offending roller rockers (only had a couple hitting) and buffed down the corners of the rockers to get the clearance.

Rob

I recently noticed the same thing and will have to do the same thing with my Harlan Sharps. Cant be hitting that hard though cause the valve covers dont even have any marks on the inside. But I had the covers completely loose and moved them around with the engine running and the noise was clear that they were hitting.

If you don't get too crazy, you can GENTLY grind a clearance relief in the cover where the rocker contacts the cover. I had the same problem, and the covers are thicker than the standard stamped steel ones. I used a dremel with a sanding drum, and frequently checked clearance. also, make sure you thoroughly clean out any shavings. It's ultimately your call, but it worked for me.

I already tried the larger gaskets... I tried turning them around, they are just big rockers... I would like to get new smaller ones, but i have no i idea what to get or how to install them. How much do those valve covers run?

The covers in polished run $199. The cover in natural finish for painting run $151.

The baffles in the covers hit my rockers. A little grinding did the trick.
http://www.454malibu.com/Yengine10.jpg

They do make valve cover spacers. I got some for my dad which made his 302 Full roller and wanted to keep the original valve covers. They are made of aluminum and are about $100 for them and youll have to have 2 sets of gaskets for them. They add an Inch to the valve covers. You could probably have a machine shop cut them down for you if you didnt want them so tall.

They do make valve cover spacers. I got some for my dad which made his 302 Full roller and wanted to keep the original valve covers. They are made of aluminum and are about $100 for them and youll have to have 2 sets of gaskets for them. They add an Inch to the valve covers. You could probably have a machine shop cut them down for you if you didnt want them so tall.


We make those to. . .around $90's.

buy some fabricated covers from Granetelli Motorsports... Jegs has them. They were the only thing that could clear my rockers... the quality is unreal!!

Steve