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Hemi in E body valve cover clearance

Posted By: 472Coronet

Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/26/23 09:41 PM

Good afternoon everyone.

I am in the beginning stages of putting together a hemi for my 70 Cuda. I have a BMP block, molar crank and rods, intake, and Edelbrock Victor Jr heads.

I am using an Al Debevic (sp?) k frame, and will be using the small hemi e body power brake booster. Ideally, I am not interested in converting the car to manual brakes.

A few questions. I hope to use Stage V roller rockers, but I am concerned the (stock-ish appearing black wrinkle, but taller and wider) stage V valve covers will not have enough clearance on the passenger side shock tower, and the brake booster. I realize it will be tight no matter what, but I’ve heard horror stories of there being no clearance at all.

I am looking for pictures of something similar to my combination and how tight the clearances are on each side. I do not want to modify the passenger side shock tower.

Again, to sum it up without being too wordy: e body, Debevic k frame, valve covers to fit stage V rockers, and small e body hemi booster. Hoping someone has this combo, or something similar that I can take a look at.

Also, I realize there is currently a thread very similar to my question, using Barton valve covers. I am following the replies there as well.

Thanks to everyone in advance for the help.
Posted By: Vert

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/27/23 02:03 AM

See my post on the other thread. You WILL have clearance problems.

Or skip the prob $4k rockers, run stock units (are you racing?), and stock valve covers.
Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/27/23 02:24 PM

There is NO extra clearance available on the passenger side for anything larger than OE. And barely enough for the OE.

Then, if you use OE valve covers with just about any roller rockers, you will have the exhaust rockers hitting the valve covers. Been there, done that.
Posted By: HEMI472

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/27/23 05:55 PM

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Posted By: HEMI472

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/27/23 05:57 PM

mine fits and i can even get them on and off to adjust valves
Posted By: 472Coronet

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/27/23 07:04 PM

Thank you for the replies so far. It’s interesting how some have zero clearance and a problem, and some don’t.

I’ve been told to get a set of chrome valve covers and paint them black wrinkle. Supposedly the stock appearing chrome valve covers have more room, and Stage Vs will clear? Can anyone confirm this? I’ve also heard of the dual gaskets trick with longer spark plug tubes. I’d be interested to hear about these if anyone has experience with it.

Also, as for the pics above, awesome. Also, did you do anything special to get as much clearance as you have?
Posted By: cuda499

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/27/23 08:20 PM

I have a 70 cuda with a bobs pro fab front end with motor plates. I have the barton rocker system, along with larger alum covers. I had to notch the passenger side cover a bit for shock adjustment at top of shock tower, i also dont have a heater in the car anymore, for clearence at the back. On the drivers side i have manual brakes and had to offset brake master. Even with these mods, its tight.
Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/28/23 03:20 AM

I have MP/ Dick Landy rockers with stock covers and they do hit inside the covers, so you can do what the racers back in the day did and what I did, take a ball end of a ball peen hammer and ding them where they rub, but at least the stock covers clear the shock towers and you can adjust the valves. After a while one of mine started leaking where I kinda put a little hole in it and had to get it welded, also mock it up and check the spring retainers to see if they rub also. Anytime we get away from stock things get complicated squared.
Posted By: PasiR

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/28/23 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by 472Coronet
Thank you for the replies so far. It’s interesting how some have zero clearance and a problem, and some don’t.

I’ve been told to get a set of chrome valve covers and paint them black wrinkle. Supposedly the stock appearing chrome valve covers have more room, and Stage Vs will clear? Can anyone confirm this? I’ve also heard of the dual gaskets trick with longer spark plug tubes. I’d be interested to hear about these if anyone has experience with it.

Also, as for the pics above, awesome. Also, did you do anything special to get as much clearance as you have?


Dual gaskets always with OE valve covers if running StageV rollers.
Posted By: nick24

Re: Hemi in E body valve cover clearance - 01/28/23 07:21 AM

I have a '70 Cuda with a Hemi & motor plates. Roller rockers. No heater. I started with chrome covers. The exhaust rockers hit the chrome covers. I tried a few aluminum covers until I chose Stage V.
Stage V covers clear the rockers. I can remove them if I remove the passenger upper shock mount.
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