2 piece BB valve covers?

Anyone know of a set of that will work for adjustable rockers? It's such a pain to r&r the covers then lean over the fenders again to run the valves. And I'm not getting any younger.
Search here turned up nothing as far as being adjustable-friendly to just remove the top part. Any help is appreciated.


Tim

Something like this?

Those are beautiful. I wish they had an AR part number!

Looks like that would work (minus the clear top ).
Are these on the market or just one-offs someone made?


Tim

Let's guess who made them??????

They would be a seller, What do you think Andy? Any chance//


Joe

I do not think having two piece will make it any easier.

I agree. Less messy maybe!

I too agree,it maybe less messy to adjust rockers. Also would aid fresh start-ups, oiling valve springs and pre oiling pushrod, valve and rocker tips. May offer visual on oil drainback and oil spray characteristics. Andy could probably rate the last part based on his experience of the visibility quality available. Aluminum tops could be substituted for continued use if the were less expensive and more durable. The clear top could be available as an optional piece for inspection purposes. The real problem is the same as aftermarket blocks presents. Less BBM engines being built. Production costs/sales may be cost prohibitve for manufacturing. Now if you're a builder of multiple BBM engines and combinations of this engine, there is no denying the value of this helpful tool. As a side note, it sort of helps make the case for hydralic roller cams for anything but all-out combos. Extremely nice product and workmanship on Andy's covers! Bill

They work great on the dyno. Allow us to see the oil spray as well as the operation of the valvetrain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlw70nAao38

Thanks Andy for the link to that video. The visibility with your valve covers is incredible. What a great tool. Great job! Bill

Andi i would love set to have at the dyno down here. Cab and I dyno at the same place so they would get used for sure.

I built two of them and we only use one so I could sell one cover. They were expensive to build so you might not want to hear the price but if you're interested shoot me a PM.

Here is a link to a video showing the cover in operation during a dyno pull. Once the engine hits 6000 rpm the cover fills up with oil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oLyIhDdKww

What material is used for the transparent panel? Plexiglass? Lexan? How does it stand up to the heat?

Filled with oil or just so much splash that the view became obscured?
Had me concerned about the oil being able to drain back in a road racing situation.

I used Lexan. It has a melting point of 500 degrees so it isn't really bothered by 180 degree oil. I assume that the Lexan would fail in an OEM environment but we just use these covers for dyno engines so they only get an hour of use maybe once a month.

My thinking was that it would be a little easier to R&R the top cover than to R&R the whole valve cover.
If no one has any real-world experience (other than Andy), maybe I'll switch to studs & nuts for the covers with a dab of adhesive to hold the gasket in place.

Thanks,

Tim

I glue my gaskets to the covers with 3M trim adhesive and use long set screws for studs and flanged nuts on my engine. Works great and stays clean

Gus

Tim

In my experience the best setup is a set of rigid valve covers with a very thick, very rigid rail. Use them with an aftermarket aluminum head with a machined valve cover rail and then use the Cometic rubber/steel core gasket. That combination is leak proof and you never need to replace the gasket. Just wipe it clean and reuse it over and over. I build my own valve covers since nobody used to sell one that I liked but the new Trick Flow valve cover is pretty good.

I guess a response via pm is not possible?

This is where in my opinion o rings are an absolute no brainer. I first went with o rings about 15 years ago and never looked back. I have the process down now fairly well and have done a few sets for myself and other folks. My first set was done on my manual Bridgeport with a rotary table - that was not fun. Pull the valve cover on and off at will and don't worry about leaks.

Here is a set we made for our Goodwin Hemi
no problem racing car with them.

That hemi is beyond cool. How many fasteners per cover and how thick is the lexan?

O rings FTW! I dont really get the appeal of the lexan covers but to each his own. Also dont see how a two piece covers helps in adjusting valves,sure dot look like enough room to me to gain access.

lexan is 1/4 thick

we take our covers off to adjust