I just read an online Car Craft article about the build of a "Max Wedge" engine, using the A&A standard port crossram and repro MW exhaust manifolds. In the article, the authors says he used a hydraulic cam because with the MW exhaust manifolds, you can't take the passenger side valve cover off with the engine in the car. Is this the case?? It surprised me, especially since the MW engines were all fitted with solid cams and adjustable rockers.

The reason I ask is becuase I am planning on building a Max Wedge type motor to go in my 63 Dodge, using the repro cross ram and exhaust manifolds. I was planning on using either solid flat tappets or rollers. But if I can't get the valve covers off to adjust the rockers without removing the exhaust manifolds, I might have to re-think my plan. Anyone with practical experience with these engines with the exhaust manifolds?

In my 62 Plymouth I have to take the passg side exhaust manifold off to adjust the valves. From what I gather this is standard procedure.

If your not going for originality,headers definitely would be the way to go.

FWIW,
Alex

It depends on which valve covers you use, I had a original 415 HP 1963 M.W. Belvedere that was stock when I bought it. The stock valve covers where hard to get off at first until I learned to slide them around while lifting them up. It did help if I loosened the exhaust mainifold boltts some on the right side but you could get them off without doing that. BTW, that motor had allen head 1/4 inch bolts on the inside (manifold side) valve cover locations, lots of fun to get in and out until I made a extended allen head socket by welding a extension onto one of my allen head sockets Hopefully your going to use the M.W. size heads and intake and not the standard intake port sizes

exhaust manifold on passenger side has to come off, the best part is the antifreeze leaking out of the water jacket bolt hole when you slide the manifold off.

Never had to pull the intake manifold or loosen the exhaust manmifolds on my 63 to get the covers off. Did lots of valve adjusting with my trusty old P&G valve gaper. I would guess that something aint being repoped exactly as OEM if you gotta do that. As stated, the intake is a major pain to get on and off.

If you are going to run any kind of aftermarket rockers, try to find ones that aren't so bulky. On the FAST maxie I built, the passenger side would come off(with the exhaust manifold moved away). The drivers side is another story. If you want to take the drivers side off, you gotta set the damper at a predetermined spot or the rockers(HS) will trap the cover from coming off. Really sounds worse than it is, it's not too bad..

MB

Thanks for the info guys.

Hey Mike, from your above post, I assume you're using Harland Sharp rockers? Do they fit under the stock valve covers okay? I was looking at either HS or RAS steel rockers. However, my 518 heads have been modified with the pushrod pinches removed, so I will need offset intake rockers. Not sure if RAS makes a suitable offset rocker, but I know HS do.

We don't have a FAST racing class down here, but I want to build my car to look stock and run low 11's. This is my car.

Nice looking 63 Dodge. I use hedman 1-3/4 headers so I cant help you on that but I can admire your car. Ron