Searching for info re: unusual Ford 351C Valve Covers.

[YerDugliness]

Back when the 351 Cleveland engines were all that, Ford marketed a very unusual valve cover for the Cleveland headed engines.

It had holes above where the rocker arm studs would be located on the heads, and as far as I know it was available only from Ford.

I think the idea was to combine a valve cover and a stud-girdle in one piece. I would imagine that an extra long rocker arm stud would have been necessary, with seals around each of the studs where they extended through the valve cover with a nut on the rocker stud outside the valve cover, too. The only other way I can describe them is to visualize the manner in which a Ford 272/292/312 Y-block V-8 valve cover was attached, then multiply that by 4 for each side.

Does anyone remember these valve covers? I'm looking for a source for a future build.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Cheers from Dugly

[mr bruce]

yep, I got a pair, integral rocker girdle, longer rocker studs, acorn nuts on the top of the covers, how much they worth to you?

[Jac Mac]

While they look the part Doug, in practise they are a pain in the butt, If the studs are not dead straight & or the heads dont have the stud holes machined exactly as per the original Ford drilling/tapping accuracy you can get into a problem when tightening down the 'Acorn' nuts that fit on the stud tops where they tend to bend or deflect the stud slightly as they are tightened and in doing so the carefully set valve lash alters in the process. Probably not a big deal on a hydraulic cam setup, but in a solid lifter deal it can be a problem. Todays bolt on roller rocker setups are probably a better deal and you could just glue the acorn nuts in place if you really want those covers.

[kcoffield]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

Does anyone remember these valve covers? I'm looking for a source for a future build. Thanks for any help you can provide! Cheers from Dugly

Here ya go.

Ford Motorsports Valve Train Stabilizer - Clevelands Forever!

They fetch big dough with the collector crowd. They show up on eBay every once ina while and usually fetch North of $650 for a complete set. There are several styles, for twist in and push in breathers.

Best,
Kelly

[kcoffield]

Originally Posted by Jac Mac

......If the studs are not dead straight & or the heads dont have the stud holes machined exactly as per the original Ford drilling/tapping accuracy you can get into a problem when tightening down the 'Acorn' nuts that fit on the stud tops where they tend to bend or deflect the stud slightly as they are tightened and in doing so the carefully set valve lash alters in the process.

This is true but it is also true for the best stud girdles such the JoMar girdles that have milled holes that clamp on the lash adjuster bodies. The girdles such as Morosso that use u-clamps exhibit this less so but IMO do not do as good of a job in holding the valvetrain.

The biggest issue for the Ford valve covers is using a thin gasket that does not take a set. Ford recommended glueing/sealing it in place. That is definitely a PITA. You only have the eight of the 1/4-20 screws to secure the cover to the head but tieng all the rockers together is really what adds the most rigidity. If a thicker compressible gasket is used, it eventually relaxes a bit and they cease to be effective girdles.

-My 2 cents.

Kelly

[lovehamr]

You mean like these? I agree that they are a pain in the azz. After the first valve adjustment I noticed that the normal VC bolts didn't do crap and stopped using them. You'll notice here that only the acorn nuts are used. Aside from the possible tugging on the studs (which can happen with any girdle IMO) I could never get a real "hot" lash adjustment because it took forever to get the damn things off!