Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Classic

List

Threaded

16 messages Options

kramttocs

460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

In the market for some valve covers so would like to see some non-stock photos and/or hear any recommendations.
I've been planning on swapping the stock ones out after I got everything in the engine bay situated. I am about to that point plus the ones on there look to be leaking quite a bit so will be doing this sooner rather than later.

Pretty much a stock setup - heads, air cleaner. Replaced the egr with a spacer so air cleaner height should be the same also.

I see a lot of tall covers which I don't need but do they cause any clearance issues if used?

Thanks!

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Gary Lewis

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

There are better pics, I'm sure, but Jim is running cast aluminum ones from a 460 in a boat. From OMC.
I sold a pair like them to Eli/SmokenChoken at the show last year for $100 IIRC. Don't know if he's used them, but he's not too far from you in Peru, KS.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

kramttocs

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

Thanks Gary.
That's the style I would prefer but not having much luck finding them.
Never had non-stock valve covers but looking at all the ones for sale it doesn't appear the oil fill breather/extension (seen in your photo) will work? The holes all look round without the cutouts for the locking tabs.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Gary Lewis

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

That's Jim's, and mine didn't have the extension. But I think the openings have the cutouts for the extension tube.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

Yes Gary, everything fits 'as stock'.
I may have had to change my PCV grommet, but the old one was hard and cracked anyhow.

I didn't really have any problem finding the covers.
I wanted some that weren't pristine, because I was going to refinish them in crinkle black anyhow.

Look for 'King Cobra' or whatever it is, they'll turn up.
I wanted to get a set of ribbed covers from Blue Thunder, but couldn't find any in stock, and lead times were ridiculous.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Angelo Voltura

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

I have a preference for the "tall" style over the stock replacement "low" style.

Biggest thing when replacing them is do NOT overtighten the bolts. Snug them. I emphasize snug. Most aftermarket covers are aluminum and warp easily and will cause leaks. If you use a cork gasket, they will tear easily. I have found wetting gaskets with High Tack will help hold them in place when seating.

A lot of time they come with grommets, so running your PCV should not be an issue.

Check out Summit Racing, they stock TONS of them for 460s.

1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W

kramttocs

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

Will keep an eye out for those OKC ones. The Blue Thunder look really nice but probably a little hard to justify on this motor

I agree Angelo- the pcv should be fine but it's the breather that is the problem as it has the 'twist lock' and requires two slots in the valve cover. So looks like I would need to find a replacement for that.

After doing a little searching I think I may pull mine, ensure they are flat and then reinstall new gaskets with the High Tack for now (just ordered some). The builder put them on in order to break it in and I haven't touched them so not sure of the torque used.

I know these are rubber - stick with that over the cork?

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Dee1986

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

The valve covers on my 460 leaked something awful when I first got it. The PO had torqued them down too much and warped the covers. I pulled them worked them flat and used some "speaker bars" with the bolts to snug them down, no leaks. Definatly prefer the rubber over the cork. Going with some tall aluminum covers once I get to that point in the build.

Brian,
1986 f250 xlt lariat 4x4/ 460 4 speed
2016 super duty lifted
1949 Ford custom sedan, orig flathead eight

Angelo Voltura

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

In reply to this post by kramttocs

You can buy aftermarket covers with the twist lock style breather, or you just buy another breather (unless yours is a factory one). I like the plain chrome style personally.

I think the torque spec was something like 15-20 in/lbs but I'd have to check my Haynes book. It wasn't very much, I just snugged mine with a 1/4" ratchet and called it a day after checking for leaks.

I would go with rubber with the steel liner, use high tack on that too.

Those bars used to be a hot seller for warped covers as it would draw them straight again. Personally, they bug me the way they look.

1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W

Gary Lewis

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

In reply to this post by kramttocs

kramttocs wrote

Will keep an eye out for those OKC ones. The Blue Thunder look really nice but probably a little hard to justify on this motor

I think you are confused. The ones I mentioned are OMC ones. Outboard Marine Corp. But if you want OKC ones they'll just be Thunder, not Blue Thunder.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

kramttocs

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

Haha I think I am.
Do you have a link for just the Thunder ones?

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Dee1986

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

In reply to this post by Angelo Voltura

I agree the spreader bars don't look good but till I get nicer than stock covers they do the trick. Nothing good looking about a giant cloud of smoke every time you make a turn and dump oil on your manifold

Brian,
1986 f250 xlt lariat 4x4/ 460 4 speed
2016 super duty lifted
1949 Ford custom sedan, orig flathead eight

Gary Lewis

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

In reply to this post by kramttocs

kramttocs wrote

Do you have a link for just the Thunder ones?

I'm having a hard time finding those. Sorry.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

I use these gaskets, from Real Gaskets in Tennessee.

You don't use any dressing, just wipe down the mating surfaces with acetone or brake clean.

If I were to go back to cork, or the Fel-Pro rubber gaskets I used to use, I'd glue them to the covers and maybe use a smear of Hylomar on the face of the head.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

Just wanted to add, the OMC pn is 0912875.
They weren't very expensive back in the day.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

kramttocs

Re: 460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

Administrator

Thanks Jim.
Just placed an order for those gaskets.
Will keep an eye out for those valve covers. I want to stick with the stock design but would like to get away from the steel. Found a set of QFT black ones I like the look of but since I am using that hole behind the drivers side valve cover to run all my add-on wiring (and there is a lot of it) I am afraid the tall ones might crowd that area.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio