Cast valve cover options with HP manifolds?

[70Sbird]

I have the 440 in the Superbird almost buttoned up and am looking for options on the valve covers. I would like to run a set of cast aluminum covers but am now gun shy about what will fit. I have the Year One repop HP (68-69 style) exhaust manifolds and discovered that the passenger side manifold and my new MP cast aluminum valve cover want to occupy the same space. I have now learned that this was common for these valve covers. So, are there any that do fit? I seem to remember a buddy had a set of Mickey Thompson valve covers on his big block back in the 80's that fit, but I cant remember if he had manifolds or headers
Anyone know what would work?
Thanks
Scott

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Hmm....I ran the MP covers and stock original HP manifolds back in the day.....they were close but not close enough to cause interference...  

[cshutts]

Same here, I just removed a set off my 440 with the manifolds, and it was a little tight, but fit fine.  I wanted the stock appearance, so I don't need the cast valve covers.

[oldcarnut]

If your interested in the 440 source cast covers  (non ribbed) I'll put on a stock manifold and one of the covers I bought and take a pic.  I need to do it anyway as I never have tried them on with a manifold and steel heads. 

[68 RT]

I have M/T 'S on my 68 r/t with stock cast iron hp manifolds and they fit fine.   

[charger Downunder]

I had to file down my Mopar alloy covers just a bit where the gasket goes to clear the manifold on one side.

[oldcarnut]

Here's a comparison of what I have.  The first is the 70 383 with stock.  2nd is the MP with 440.  3rd is an old MT with the top cut out.  Last is the 440 Source with the modification I made for see-through top.  I had to loosen the manifold to get all the cast ones for moving on/off to clear the MSD dist.  The MP was just about touching the exhaust manifold.  No gaskets were under the covers and the exhaust man had a header gasket under it

[oldcarnut]

I re-read your intial post about the manifolds being 68-69.  Would they be different from the 70 I have.  As far as I know they are the ones original to the RR. 

[bill440rt]

The '70 manifolds should be the same as '68-'69, except for the angle of the mating flange to the exhaust pipe.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Im wondering if the problem lies with the repro manifolds?

[charger Downunder]

Could you have the face of the manifild machined at the bootm at an angle so it will tilt outwards slightly.?

[oldcarnut]

Could you have the face of the manifild machined at the bootm at an angle so it will tilt outwards slightly.?

I thought about the repops being off but I had the same effect on my oem manifold.  Machining the bolt up surface would throw off the pipe connection surface and if you had fixed exhaust pipes that might create more problems.

[chargerbr549]

You could try and use those thick copper or aluminum hedder gaskets to space out the manifold for some extra clearance.

[Dino]

I'd love a set of those mopar performance valve covers.  Got the air cleaner and love that look.  Any header fitment issues with those as well?

[oldcarnut]

I'd love a set of those mopar performance valve covers.  Got the air cleaner and love that look.  Any header fitment issues with those as well?

The engine I used to take the pics with had headers before I swapped it out with another engine.  No problems.  Only pic I have right now is the drivers side but it was about the same.

[Dino]

I'd love a set of those mopar performance valve covers.  Got the air cleaner and love that look.  Any header fitment issues with those as well?

The engine I used to take the pics with had headers before I swapped it out with another engine.  No problems.  Only pic I have right now is the drivers side but it was about the same.

Sweet!  I just love how those look, I need to have a word with santa!  Thanks for the pic.   

[oldcarnut]

Yuo should contact the guy about 13-14 posts earlier.  He didn't want his.  Maybe a sale for ya.

[firefighter3931]

You could try and use those thick copper or aluminum hedder gaskets to space out the manifold for some extra clearance.

I'd suggest a set of Percy's dead soft aluminum MLS gasgets....that should do the trick 


Ron

[70Sbird]

If your interested in the 440 source cast covers  (non ribbed) I'll put on a stock manifold and one of the covers I bought and take a pic.  I need to do it anyway as I never have tried them on with a manifold and steel heads.  

Oldcarnut,
Thanks for all your effort! it looks like the MP valve covers are indeed a bit "fatter" than the rest. I'm just tired of VC leaks and have had great luck in the past with cast valve covers and good gaskets fixing pesky leaks.
looks like i need an old set of M/T's of an equivalent

[Chatt69chgr]

How about fabricated aluminum valve covers from 440 Source.  Also, Hughes has cast aluminum valve covers.