[FO_FDYFO]

I have a set of bb valve covers on my car. they have metal tabs that point down to direct the splashed oil right on the rocker stud nut. I was going to replace them with tall aluminum valve covers and noticed it did not have them. I looked at a few others and they don't have them. I did not change them because I thought it was a great idea to direct the oil there. why don't all valve covers do that. and is it really smart to put a set on that does not have that feature?
I was thinking of drilling the spot welds off and welding or riveting them into a taller set. your thoughts would be appreciated.

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1970 Chevelle 454 Wagons haul A$$ in style! "The Chopped Suburban". to see some goto
www.EINSTYN.com FO_FDYFO = four-fifty four! TC#1460, VCEA#2

 

[TronDD]

They sound logical to me. But since other valve covers don't have them, I'd guess it isn't necessary. I think I would try to move them to the new valve covers...if I had any skill in that area. They sound like a good idea so might as well keep it if you want.

Tim.

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Proud Owner: '69 Chevelle
Malibu: 350, PG, 3.36 open dif.

"ALL YOUR RICE ARE BELONG TO US!"

http://www.wyatts-torch.com/~dienadel/chevelle/index.html

 

[ps70elk]

I always thought they were intended for stock type stamped rockers & not really needed for rollers.
Pete

 

[FO_FDYFO]

ps70elky i dont know.

i just saw some edelbrock cast aluminum valve covers with points molded in them for this reason. maybe the stamped ones you see, they just cut the added expense to keep the price down?

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1970 Chevelle 454 Wagons haul A$$ in style! "The Chopped Suburban". to see some goto
www.EINSTYN.com FO_FDYFO = four-fifty four! TC#1460, VCEA#2

 

[Midnight Marauder]

The MT valve covers I have on my BB have the drippers as well. I do still use the stock rockers and I think when I get my Harland Sharps I may have some clearance issues. I think they are beneficial at high rpms as to direct oil onto the rockers to ensure good lube at high speed/rpm. Think I may have to grind them down a little if I use the Harlands.

I figure the stock valave covers on my SS had the drippers so might as well keep it that way.

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'70 SS 396
4spd, 4.11's and a smile
TC# 1341
Beaux

"You're just jealous because the little voices are talking to me"

 

[FIG]

Hey Pete

Maybe instead of buying a set of tall valve covers try to find a set of valve cover spacers. I've seen a few cars use these and I think it helps keep the stock look/function with the taller covers.

YMMV


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J.J. Fig
MCC member #256
Maryland Chevelle Club
Dad's 69 SS
Mom's 71 SS Convertible

 

[1966_L78]

I think they are a good idea, but not a necessity.

Chevrolet didn't put these on all of their stock covers, I think they only went on the Hi Po motors.

When I buy some new valve covers this year, I am definitely getting them, just for the added oil, but I have run my motors pretty hard, and I don't think any ever had these, and no problems...

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"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
1966 SS L78 coupe
1966 SS convertible
1965 Impala convertible
1 wife that has drawn the line...

 

[Midnight Marauder]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FIG:
Hey Pete

Maybe instead of buying a set of tall valve covers try to find a set of valve cover spacers. I've seen a few cars use these and I think it helps keep the stock look/function with the taller covers.

YMMV


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Couldnt you just double up on the gaskets, say one thick and one thin?

 

[ps70elk]

Sorry FO_FDYFO, I think my previous reply was a little corn-fusing.

What I meant was, I thought valve covers with drippers were meant to be used with stamped rocker arms & maybe not needed with roller rocker arms.

What 1966_L78 says about them only being used on hi-perf. motors makes sense.

I have two sets of original covers, one with drippers & one without.

 

[Jeff M]

My M/T's (Midnight) are old....70's?? Anyway, they had the drippers on them and when I changed cam and put on the roller rockers they did indeed hit a bit. I just used a set of vice grips and broke them off. Worked pretty slick and haven't had any problems with the rockers.

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69 C-10, CST. Short Wide. 427, 400auto, tilt, cruise, a/c, disc brakes....C.W.'s got the Velle

 

[ss3964spd]

FO_,

The 396 in my '66 is original with the original rocker covers installed. They do NOT have the drippers - never did.

It's one of those mystery's that would be interesting to solve; when did the dripper covers actually get used?

Anyway, some covers have them, some do not, factory and after market. As such I'd have to guess they are not all that important.

As far as using them with rollers - they are almost certainly not necessary. A roller bearing - using needles or balls, requires much less lubrication than a plain bearing. Think about the input shaft bearing of a Muncie. Those require a mear whif of oil, which comes from the oil that's being splashed and thrown around. Even the old Porche engines that used pressed together cranks with roller bearing mains used very little oil pressure.

Dan

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Awww, fer cyrin out loud, there's that IMPALA guy again.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ss3964spd?d&.flabel=fld1&.src=ph

 

[racer1320]

The purpose of the drippers on the stock BB valve cover is to provide extra oiling to the pivot ball on stock stamped steel rockers.

They are not needed if using roller rockers and in fact the valve covers won't fit with them in place.

However you can use the stock "dripper" valve covers with roller rockers simply by bending over the drippers so they are flat to the underside of the valve cover and using double cork gaskets glue together.

Either 1 - 3/16" and 1 - 5/16" or 2 - 5/16"

This setup is exactly what I run.

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racer's '68

[email protected] n/a
1.38 60 foot
3900 lbs.
BSE Power

 

[FO_FDYFO]

thanks guys, I guess since I am using roller rockers it does not really matter about the drippers. the oil should be getting there via the push rod anyway. but I like the spacer idea if anyone knows where to get those?

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1970 Chevelle 454 Wagons haul A$$ in style! "The Chopped Suburban". to see some goto
www.EINSTYN.com FO_FDYFO = four-fifty four! TC#1460, VCEA#2