So I need to get a pair of new valve covers. I'm going to get a set of GM performance ones. Now my q: tall or short covers? And w/ baffles or without?

I am going to be running stock valve train and might one day go with roller rockers - but not now. All I have heard about valve covers is that short are for stock rockers and tall are for roller rockers. And tall covers can interfere w/ the a/c pump. Is all this info true? I think I'll just go ahead and get tall ones if I need them to run roller rockers. But I'd also like to add an a/c pump down the road for cheap onboard air. Just want to buy covers once!

Thanks all!!!

factory brackets sure are nice...and not compatible with "tall" rocker covers. measure how much space you have then get some to fit that dim. I got a "med." set. I think I'll still be able to use my factory setup. the tall ones are like 2" taller than stock. do you really need tye whole 2" for rollers?

I wouldn't think so. None of the rollers in summit or jegs say you need taller covers - but some on the gm performance page say you do. Hell - it probably won't do much to a torque motor by putting roller rockers in there. And that's if I ever want to spend the $$$ on roller rockers.

Hey - do I need baffles or not? Both the short and tall covers have ones w/ and ones w/out baffles.

Roller lifters give you 3x the bang for the buck.!

Originally posted by Old Scout
Roller lifters give you 3x the bang for the buck.!

I was planning on running a summit cam for low end torque. All the roller cams I've looked at/seen have been more for mid-high end HP apps. Do they make RV roller cams???

Yup! :D Look at Marine apps. You need a ton of low end grunt for the hole shot in a boat. There grinds are very D.D. friendly, boat motors don't like to go above 5k so the cams are designed for idle to 5k.

Hey - do I need baffles or not? Both the short and tall covers have ones w/ and ones w/out baffles. [/B]

If you're running a baffle, you will need a PCV valve. I tried running baffles only and had a problem with oil getting pushed through and dripping on the manifolds :barf:

I agree with Old Scout on the Boat Cams. If I was you you might wanna look into a "Hydraulic Roller Lifters" also they give excellent performance at half the roller lifters price. "I" Don't think "baffels" will give you any advantage to you. As for the "Tall" valve covers you can always make a modified AC bracket.... My recommendation for "valve covers" are to get a good set of Aluminum ones they dont "bend" and they give a good "seat" = no leaks. They have a "bling Bling" affect too.....LOL:D :beer:

Originally posted by Shaker
I was you you might wanna look into a "Hydraulic Roller Lifters" also they give excellent performance at half the roller lifters price.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

The hydro ones Ive looked at are the same $$$ as solid roller. The Iski ones in my 440 were 375.00 for all 16. So there a source for them in a hyrdo style for >200.00!?!?

So should I skip the roller rocker idea for now and just look into getting roller lifters? And I assume you get a cam w/ matching roller lifters?

A roller cam and hyrdo cam are very different in many ways. You need to get both the roller lifters and cam at the same time! The action of a roller cam is kind of violent and your valve train can't have any weaknesses. I hope your rocker studs are screw-in? Beefy push rods are needed as well. The ramp on a roller cam is very steep and normal stock shit just bends.

Originally posted by Old Scout
A roller cam and hyrdo cam are very different in many ways. You need to get both the roller lifters and cam at the same time! The action of a roller cam is kind of violent and you valve train can't have any weaknesses. I hope your rocker studs are screw-in? Beefy push rods are needed as well. The ramp on a roller cam is very steep and normal stock shit just bends.

OK! So a roller cam and roller lifters it is :flipoff2: A local machine shop said they would go through my heads for $40 each. I can have them check my valve train. So I'll need beefy push rods, guide plates?, and screw-in rocker studs? Anything else I should have them do while they are in there? For that $40 he said he would grind the seats, valves, completely disassemble everything and clean it, and inspect all the parts.

I might just have to write a 350 buildup tech article. :D

Originally posted by Shaker
My recommendation for "valve covers" are to get a good set of Aluminum ones they dont "bend" and they give a good "seat" = no leaks. They have a "bling Bling" affect too.....LOL:D :beer:

Holy anal rape batman! The chrome ones are $42 to $52, the aluminum ones are $224 to $235!!! :eek: :eek:

Originally posted by brector

Anything else I should have them do while they are in there?

3 angle valve job and a bowl blend if your in the mood! :D It's soooo much easer spend your $$ than mine! :laughing: :laughing:

I'll start looking at cams.
What is your compression ratio?
What is your plan on fuel system (carb/MPI/TBI)?
stick or auto?
shouldn't be much of a problem to get 325 hp/ 400 ft lbs.

Originally posted by Old Scout


3 angle valve job and a bowl blend if your in the mood! :D It's soooo much easer spend your $$ than mine! :laughing: :laughing:

I'll start looking at cams.
What is your compression ratio?
What is your plan on fuel system (carb/MPI/TBI)?
stick or auto?
shouldn't be much of a problem to get 325 hp/ 400 ft lbs.

He said a 3 angle valve job is included :D WTF is a bowl blend? I assume that would be done in the c.c. :D

1) Not sure of comp ratio.
2) Quadrajet
3) TH350 auto

I'm going to pull the heads tonight. The motor has been sitting for almost a year now. Even though it's been covered with a towel in my carport, there is surface rust on the open valves so I want to see what the cylinders look like.

Can I give you any measurements from the cylinders and will it help if I tell you what the pistons look like (i.e. dished, domed, flat)???

I ran rollers w/GM Perf. short covers on an engine. I am currently running stock covers w/Rollers on my Vortec heads. Running about .465" lift w/each. Had to "Massage" the baffle with a hammer to clear the rocker body.

Originally posted by rodzzilla
I ran rollers w/GM Perf. short covers on an engine. I am currently running stock covers w/Rollers on my Vortec heads. Running about .465" lift w/each. Had to "Massage" the baffle with a hammer to clear the rocker body.

LOL! I might go with tall ones since all I would have to do is screw with the a/c brackets.

Originally posted by brector


Holy anal rape batman! The chrome ones are $42 to $52, the aluminum ones are $224 to $235!!! :eek: :eek:

NO NO NO
IN SUMMIt

Model BRO-VC102 $121.95
BSP-95222 $99.50
BSP-95229 $79.50

Many others also available.....so relax

Originally posted by brector

WTF is a bowl blend? I assume that would be done in the c.c. :D

Nope it done in the bowl behind the valve. You grind away all the casting crud and make it nice and smooth. It adds 25-40hp.

http://www.get-ap.com/Porting/Samples/MVC-012F.JPG

good info on this site:
http://www.get-ap.com/Porting/Bowl_Blend/bowl_blend.html

Here is an Exhust port in my IH 5.6L one is the stock port and the other is the port after bowl blending. What do you think makes more power!
http://dkg.elmo-the-dog.com/pictures/medium/1017372470.24.127.178.53.jpg

Originally posted by Shaker


NO NO NO
IN SUMMIt

Model BRO-VC102 $121.95
BSP-95222 $99.50
BSP-95229 $79.50

Many others also available.....so relax

HAHA! Might get some after all :smokin:

Originally posted by Old Scout
Here is an Exhust port in my IH 5.6L one is the stock port and the other is the port after bowl blending. What do you think makes more power!
http://dkg.elmo-the-dog.com/pictures/medium/1017372470.24.127.178.53.jpg

Sweet bowl blend :homer:

I'll have to see what they would charge for a bowl blend and gasket matching. Heck - I gasket matched my toyota 22RE - wonder if I could do that myself?

Shorty covers & roller rockers on my last 350 = lots of noise. Filed the blue anodize right of the top edges of the rockers too.