I bought some center bolt valve covers for my new engine which I had head work done, in which I put some aluminum roller rockers on them. The valve covers hit the rockers before there all the way down. There just stock height. Will tall center bolt valve covers clear the rockers? Ive seen where people have bought the thinner rockers. I dont have that option. So what have u guys done to use the roller rockers n get the center bolt valve covers to clear? So any help r advice would b great. Thanks HUFF

 

I believe they make spacers and adapters (either or) for installing Low-profile valve covers on cars with aluminum roller-rockers. The adapters allow you to keep your heads the same, but switch to side bolt valve covers which you would need the taller ones.

Check Jegs, or Summit catalog and you should find some there.

 

In my case, which is Comp Pro Magnum rockers and stock stamped steel valve covers, it was necessary to clearence the valve cover bolt hole support.
I used a die grinder to trim the support so it cleared the rocker body.

 

Skinny Z do you have any pics? I have to do the exact same thing....

 

Not at this time, however sometime this week (or so ) I'll have to reset the lifter preload on the fresh engine. I can probably get a couple of pics then.

 

You can see from a couple of these shots how much material needs to be removed from the support. It's only one side (the side that goes between the rocker bodies) however most of the 'lip' has to be removed.
Hope it's helpful.

 

did u get the narrow body self aligning roller rockers? thats wat center bolt valve covers require.

or u could get fabricated aluminum tall center bolt valve covers and call it a day

 

I machined my Vortecs heads for guide plates and am using Comp Cams 1302 rocker arms. I wanted some interchangability should I upgrade my heads and can't use self aligning rockers. They are standard width.
Stock steel covers because I spent my money on go fast parts.

 

understood, those are nice rockers. i only spent 80$ on fabricated aluminum center bolt valve covers with billet rails....

 

I like the fabricated look. Where did you get them?

 

Thanks SkinnyZ, that's exacltly what I was looking for!!!!

Let the grinding begin!!!!

 

skips white performance... he has a store on ebay. the attached pic is of his perimeter valve covers for 73$ but idk if he still carries the center bolt covers. i might have gotten one of the last pairs months ago. mine are polished and look great and are really really light greats welds too

 

Adapters are pricy. You got two options:

1. Take a dremel to the valve cover supports and clearance them.

2. Get tall valvecovers.



I've got guideplates and non self-alligning rockers on a set of Vortecs. I'm guessing you're in the same predicament. I liked tall valve covers so it was an easy choice.




Some people run into problems where the alternator bolt hits the valvecover (when they're tall) but mine have room there, so no problems at all for me. I just always get it zapped when I pull that side off the car with the battery connected. THat bolt arcs straight to the valve cover every time. So I disconnect the battery. And then I always forget to reconnect it... Good times.

 

InfernalVortex
Whats your hood clearence like? It looks like you use a low profile element.
My RPM Air Gap pushes the filter lid into the hood. The dropped base I use means I need a 3" element in order to clear the choke housing.

 

It's a drop base with a 1.5 inch filter. It was a Summit brand K&N ripoff. Probably a K&N filter anyway. But my hood clearance is fine. I dont know how much more clearance I have, but the way it is, it doesnt hit.

I think my intake is actually taller than the air gap by 1/8 of an inch or so. It's a GMPP Vortec dual plane intake.

I'm not sure I'll keep that filter setup, though. THe filter will be kpt but I may get a different base/lid. The lid comes way too close to the top of the carb so I worry about it limiting my airflow pretty bad.

 

That's what I noticed about using a dropped base with a short filter element. Not enough room above the choke horn (about 0").
It's either a cowl hood (but I don't like the added attention it brings) or I'll modify an OEM twin element filter housing (TPI sytle) to mate with a standard 14" open filter housing but replace the 14" filter with some sheet steel or aluminium cut to a height that'll allow some hood clearence.
Got to have some cold air coming in!