I had a little problem with my 1.7 rockers hitting the baffles in my valve covers. They are Edelbrock Signature covers, and I really do NOT want to go to what I consider "ugly" taller covers from the 5.0s. I used a body hammer to tap in the baffles and it was enough to clear the rockers. That was with .502 lift. Now I have .560 lift, and will probably have to tap them a bit more. What do the baffles do, and what would happen if I just cut them completely out? Otherwise, I will have to tap some more...
I'd have to think the baffle keep oil from squirting up into the breather and the PCV valve. Just a guess
If you take them out it WILL suck oil at the pcv and the car will smoke. Why are you running such a High lift cam with the set up you have?
bingo. I've had the same problem with mine. I actually still get oil weeping from the breather, but it's partly due to the huge ring gaps I decided to use when I built the engine. (wanted to run nitrous)
When i need a little extra clearance, i 3M two gaskets together. Never had one to leak. They also make a valve cover spacer but i think they are in the 100 dollar range. Don't completely do away with the baffle, it will cause a oil leakage problem. (Ask me how i know). P.S. Dont call the tall valve covers ugly, Thats what i have.
The tall Ford Racing aluminum covers ARE uglyYou want a nice set that clears roller rockers? Moroso lists a set of plain stamped steel chrome covers (no logo) that work. I just bolted a set on my 331's Canfield heads with 1.7 rollers. Part number for these covers is 68201. They'r shaped exactly like the stock stamped steel covers, not that "funky" shape Ford gave the cast aluminum tall covers. Good price too----$40 a set.
Yea, those are an improvement over the FR cast ones. Whoever designed the cast ones, must have previously been employed at GM.
I've also glued a couple gaskets together to gain clearance without problem. Now I run a Felpro gasket that is basically two gaskets with a steel core between them to clear my roller rockers.
Yeah, these are great. Thats all you would need. Fel-Pro 1645s at Summit. FPP-1645 $32.95 Estimated Ship Date: Tomorrow Brand:Fel-Pro PerformanceProduct Line:Fel-Pro Performance CorkLam Valve Cover GasketsPart Type:Valve Cover GasketsGasket Material:Cork/Rubber with steel coreThickness (in):0.313 in.Quantity:Sold as a pair.Notes:Cork-Lam construction utilizes a metal core with a cork-rubber material chemically bonded to both sides.Valve Cover Gaskets, CorkLame, Cork/Rubber with Steel Core, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Small Block/351W, Pair Check to make sure this part fits your application Counter blowout or high-vacuum conditions. Certain engines, such as small block and big block Chevys, can produce high-vacuum or blowout conditions that can be big problems for many valve cover gaskets. Fel-Pro Performance CorkLam gaskets are designed to deal with those challenges. They have a metal core for extra strength, with a special cork-and-rubber compound bonded to both sides. This produces tough gaskets that can deal with problem engines, while also providing a little extra clearance between the valve cover and the valvetrain.
ive always wondered if i could clear 1.7 roller rockers with my stamped Ford Racing valve covers. i guess i can if i 'massage' them a little and if i keep the lift down (.525 or below) correct?
I've always wondered if the F/R stamped chrome ones clear, Ford says they don't. The Felpro laminated gaskets can be bought locally at your parts house. Advance Auto listed them.
Why this cam? It was roller, it was COMP, and it was FREE! I was able to massage them before, and will do it again if i have to... I really like those tigged aluminum Ford Racing covers...never seen those before. But the stock ones with the HUGE oil filler tube I am not fond of. I am using the felpro rubber-embossed valve cover gaskets. Last set I will ever buy. So I don't have the ability to double them up. I am pretty sure the grooves and ridges would not line up and I would have a leak.
You can remove the baffle, and in the oil cap/breather or PCV cap install some steel wool in the cap cavity. This will baffle the oil and keep your engine from sucking it down. I just got this tip from a ford tech rep as we were pounding the beers and I was bitching about my PCV sucking oil. He told me that the 5.0 efi intakes use this
interesting to know im running my FR covers for sure, and it would be an added bonus if i could run roller rockers too
