valve cover clearance and roller rockers questions

[5.0kid]

I am going to be putting the windsor jr heads on my car here in the next couple weeks, i just have a couple more questions:

The guy said i CAN use the stock valve covers, but i have some higher valve covers he gave me with the heads. Will i need to use these and just get a spacer for the intake? And if so, does anyone know how much of a spacer I'll need for the stock intake?

My other question has to do with the roller rockers. They came with scorpion 1.72 rr and I've been trying to read up on them. So far I've read that they should be good for the stock cam, but also read where i'll have to check piston to valve clearance and may need new length pushrods? Does anyone know if I need new length pushrods and could someone explain to me how to check piston to valve clearance?

Thanks again! :TY:

 

[stang94X]

i have 1.72 rockers with the stock cam, theres no valve/piston clearance issues, you can not use the stock valve covers with 1.72rr's, the front and rear rockers will rub inside the valve cover even without the oil baffle, i tried using those exact same ford racing valve covers and even with a 1 " spacer on my edelbrock intake it they were still too tall, i ended up buying a set of summit racing aluminum covers and they fit with a 3/8" spacer

 

[94Pro-5.0]

easiest way to check piston to valve clearance is to put soft (non gritty) clay on the piston, set the head on the block and lightly bolt it down.

You can just measure with a measuring tape for the pushrods, but you'll have to wait until your doing the build of course. if you want to have them before you start, i'd call the company that made the heads and ask them. thats what i did

 

[5.0kid]

well, that sucks about the valve covers. i have the stock set, a set from a 78 f150 and these and none of them will apparently work
Should i just get a cheap set off ebay and sell these or what? it is the stock (will be ported) intake for now and i just want to get the heads on soon...
and i will call the company on monday, thanks for the help so far guys!

 

[5.0kid]

just checked, the covers are 3.75 inches on the low side, what size spacer would i need?
or is there anyway to check if the truck ones will work? i thought i read somewhere that they were a little taller...

 

[Euroeater95]

I have the TFS Short Black Valve Covers and have no problem with clearance, but only have 1.6 ratio scorpions. I also have a 3/8 intake spacer and everything clears nicely. If you get these valve covers i would suggest getting the oil fill tube that they sell as well. Went through alot of valve covers trying to make shit work.

 

[LAFENATU]

I just use 94/95 Cobra valve covers. :dunno:

 

[ScottyDsntKnow]

I just use 94/95 Cobra valve covers. :dunno:

I use the 94/95 Cobra covers with 1.7 comp stud rockers on Edelbrock RPMs with a XE270HR-112 cam and I clear fine. Some people have told me that the Cobra covers are the same but I dunno. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

[stang94X]

the 1.7 rockers will clear the stock covers, but the 1.72's will hit on the front and back rocker

 

[95-stang]

I tried the stock valve covers with 2 or 3 types [borrowed some] and they all hit, they were 1.6's. I tried Ford Racing, they cleared the Alternator, but the oil filler neck fouls the intake, in the end it was Moroso covers, 1" spacer, and it all just fits.

 

[Jonesy347]

I have 1.7's, albeit on 69 351W heads, and they would not work with stock 94 valve covers. I ended up using cheap ($45) taller chrome polished Moroso that have plenty of room. I cleared with 3/8 intake spacer, but had to grind some of the EGR bolt flange (off the bottow) to fully clear. Good Luck.

 

[ScottyDsntKnow]

I tried the stock valve covers with 2 or 3 types [borrowed some] and they all hit, they were 1.6's. I tried Ford Racing, they cleared the Alternator, but the oil filler neck fouls the intake, in the end it was Moroso covers, 1" spacer, and it all just fits.

I actually might have a VC issue... not sure, there is a clunking somewhere and I can't tell if its a rocker hitting the VC or not... I think I'm just going to switch to the Morosos and the 1" spacer if that will indeed clear without any modifications to the hood or anything else. Does that combo clear the stock hood and all?

I know the egr tube will have to be modded but that's no biggie. That'll be a hacksaw and a rubber hose to extend it 1".

 

[Jonesy347]

Moroso and 3/8 spacer will clear stock hood barely. However, I had to take the insulation off underneath the hood. I seriously don't think ya will get away with a 1" spacer.

 

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Wait I just saw the prices on those things, FUCK THAT!

I'm going to go get some of those super thick Mr. Gasket VC gaskets since right now I'm using those thin metal ones. Honestly I can't hear any knocking from inside the VCs using the screwdriver trick but who knows... From what I'm hearing the cam I'm using just makes the valvetrain noisy and there really isn't anything you can do about it.

 

[5.0kid]

what screwdriver trick?

 

[stang94X]

what screwdriver trick?

he's talkin about setting a screw driver to the valve cover and putting his ear on the other end and listening to see if he can hear the rocker hitting

 

[5.0kid]

o. ok, so does anyone know of any CHEAP valve covers that i can get to be sure that the rockers won't hit them? I'm ordering the valves i need this weekend and would rather know before tearing it all down and installing the heads.

 

[Paul]

Just get some stock fox valve covers, take out the baffles, and grind out the inside a bit. Cheap and effective.

 

[5.0kid]

so they will work with 1.72s?

 

[Jonesy347]

"From what I'm hearing the cam I'm using just makes the valvetrain noisy and there really isn't anything you can do about it." When I went from 1.6 to 1.7 RR using the F-cam it also makes a lot more noise with the extra lift. Further, I've had to adjust the valves more often too. :wall: You might want to check the Moroso price again. Their cheap stock valve covers ($45), which I have, are taller than our factory. Measure to make sure you get the right pair and price.