Stock 289 valve covers on Aluminum Heads

Well I went and installed roller rockers on my stock heads and along with the machine work of screw in studs they received all new valves etc. The stock valves were replaced with the long stem not the shorter that came with 1965 heads. The combination of the taller valves , roller rockers and longer pushrods the valve covers had to be taller. Ford Motorsport came to the rescue. I would like to know if I was to put a set of Edelbrock heads and Comp Roller tip rockers can you use the stock chrome 289 valve covers.


Thanks
Greg

None of the roller rockers will fit under the stock valve covers . There is one way you could keep the stock look , both jomar and Moroso sell a 1 " spacer that goes under the valve cover.

If you don't mind chrome, a set of these will still give the stock 66' look: Proform 66724 - Proform Chrome Valve Covers - summitracing.com

I have a set that I first used on ProComp heads and now on my AFR's--both covering trick flow 1.7 roller rockers on a .590 lift cam. I also use the included baffles with no rubbing. Both of these heads have raised valver cover mating rails--I am not sure if the head that you mentioned has that or not.

I would bet you could. I used to run them on my 306 with #6025 Performer RPM heads with Harland Sharp rollers.The baffle for the oil filler touched the poly locks,and when I tried to clearence it,the tack welds broke.So I ran those with no baffle.If I had doubled up the gasket or used Fel Pro # 1645 like I use now I believe I would have had no problems.
I now run Canfield heads with a relatively tall I/H for the solid roller,the thick Fel Pro gasket,and the stock covers fit with the oil filller and PCV baffles completely undisturbed.

Not too sure about the Edlebrock heads, but I ran a set of 1.6 ratio roller rockers from Comp Cams on a factory iron head and wanted to us the aluminum Shelby Cobra valve covers I've had laying around for years...got the slightly annoying tap, tap, tap from them hitting the baffle.

I tried it with a set of original Factory valve covers I had laying around for the 351W and surprisingly I didn't get any interference. I think the Comp Cams might use smaller rollers than most others out there, so the only thing I can suggest is to just give it a try and see.

Otherwise the onther options are as previously suggested, double up your gaskets or use the 1" spacer.

Mike

My stock stamped steel covers wouldn't work on my iron heads with Harland Sharp roller rockers but I found a cast aluminum set off of a later model Mustang that worked just fine. No baffles though. Decided so switch those out for some Edelbrocks. Dont waste your time. They suck. The indentions in em for the bolts are in the wrong spot / angle and you'll have hell trying to tighten them down. Let us know what you end up using.
RK

Originally Posted by 68fastang

I would bet you could. I used to run them on my 306 with #6025 Performer RPM heads with Harland Sharp rollers.The baffle for the oil filler touched the poly locks,and when I tried to clearence it,the tack welds broke.So I ran those with no baffle.If I had doubled up the gasket or used Fel Pro # 1645 like I use now I believe I would have had no problems.
I now run Canfield heads with a relatively tall I/H for the solid roller,the thick Fel Pro gasket,and the stock covers fit with the oil filller and PCV baffles completely undisturbed.

I think he is talking a bout the stock 65 valve cover and they are a lot lower than a 67 and later cover i would be real surprised if the stock covers would fit on any head with rollers .

I think he said roller TIPPED rockers, like Comp sells. They will fit under stock valve covers as they use the standard pivot ball and locking nut. Been there done that.

BUT, if you are talking FULL rollers, with a roller trunnion, then I don't think you'll get the stock covers to fit.

BTW, I have a set of the roller TIPPED rockers and all the hardware I would let you have for $100. Only run for engine break-in. They are the NON-RAIL type that require guideplates, 1.6 ratio. Comp #1442-16

COMP Cams 1442-16 - COMP Cams Magnum Steel Roller Tip Rocker Arms - summitracing.com

Additionally I have the Comp Cams High Energy pushrods (5/16" hardened) that are 6.875 long that I'd throw in as well. Typically I would never suggest USED pushrods, but these have about 5 hours of tuning time on them. I switched over to Miller Mid-Lift 1.7 full rollers, and had to get 7.100 in. long pushrods.

Anyway, PM me if you're interested.

Hello again. My options sound like they are limited to using the Comp roller tip and a thicker gasket under the chrome stamped hi-po covers or the aluminum cobra ones. The 289 is presently running the Scorpion full roller rockers with tall Ford Motorsport valve covers. If I where to put on any of the aluminum heads with stock stamped rockers will the cobra or the stock valve covers work. I may have to pull and tear the heads apart, changing the valves to 1965 short stem instead of the 1967 valves that where put in. This and the stock rockers will give me the clearance, but a set of aluminum heads would be a nice upgrade with stock chrome hi-po replacement valve covers. If the heads had the proper 65 valves that just clear the spring retainer I wouldn't have this problem. With the price of taking the heads off it might be better to buy a set of aluminum heads and start over?

Thanks
Greg

Originally Posted by MY TWO STANGS

I think he is talking a bout the stock 65 valve cover and they are a lot lower than a 67 and later cover i would be real surprised if the stock covers would fit on any head with rollers .

Those are stock (repro) 65-66 valve covers