Ok, i did search, i searched for about 4 hours last night and then again this morning. Noone seems to have posted about modifying centerbolt heads(083) for perimeter bolt valve covers.

What someone told me i could do is just drill a hold where the studs would have been tap it and then mount a shallow stud(maybe a 1/4in into the material) and it should work.


Has anyone ever done this before? If not, i'll still probrably be the first.

PS: i know about the adapters, but they seem like a waste of $100 to me.

Has this someone actually done it?

The perimeter bolts need bosses inside the gasket rails. They don't exist in centerbolt heads. You'd have to weld something in there.

Out of curiosity, why are you trying to do this?

I have a set of very expensive Edlebrock Elites, and i, being a dummy, bought virgin(never been used ever since 88) 083 casting heads for $50. and now i'm stuck with them and my valve covers. I want to drill a hole and tap it, then stud it and use my Elites, but i dont know if anyone has done it....


I've drilled my own Accessory holes in heads before, just dont know if anyone has done this before.

I understand the boss athere, but i ant afford to have to buy the centerbolt versions now, they are more then twice as much.

Best thing to do might be to sell those cheapie valve covers BEFORE those stupid little plastic trim things around the top that look like screw heads all fall out, and get the right thing instead.

i'm sorry, i think your thinking of different valve covers. My valve covers are completely aluminum.

That plate up top is aluminum as well, and the things that appear to be screw heads, are really screw heads. They are just black.


but thanks anyway.

If they're the same "Edelbrock Elite" valve covers that they've always been, then they're one pice of aluminum, with little plastic trim inserts around the edge of the top that look like allen-head screws, that fall out over time.

A street-rodder piece, not really for an engine that's actually supposed to run and be driven around. Not unlike their "triangle of death" air "cleaner" in that respect.

One company makes an adaptor that converts centebolt to perimeter bolt so you can do what you want without drilling or welding anything.
I don't know what they look like but I think they were about $50.
I'll see if I can remember the company and post a link.

GM makes a kit but I can't find it, and Year One sells a kit for $219!!!!
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/h...12AI80&Style=2


Here is the GM one,
P/N Description Link
24502540 SBC - Adapter Kit, Flange Mount To Center Bolt Valve Covers (Two Adapters)
This adapter kit is used to bolt flange mount (1958-87) valve cover to 1987 and up center bolt style engines.
Technical Notes: The adapters are CNC machined from billet aluminum stock. This package includes two adapters and fasteners. The replacement o-ring gasket is P/N 12480023.
$139.95
http://skillmanracingparts.com/Merch...egory_Code=GPP

It is far easier, not to mention more economical, to just go to your local junkyard and find a pair of centre bolt valve covers off any of the millions of 305s and 350s laying around everywhere. Have them sandblasted, then paint them any colour you fancy. The colour of the car is an el-cheapo trick, IMHO, and looks very cool.

Flat or semi-flat black will also look sharp.