460 Valve Cover Recommendations/Photos

[kramttocs]

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!

 

[Gary Lewis]

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.

[kramttocs]

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.

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.

[Gary Lewis]

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.

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

[ArdWrknTrk]

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

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.

[Angelo Voltura]

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.

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.

[kramttocs]

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.

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?

[Dee1986]

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?

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.

[Angelo Voltura]

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?

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.

[Gary Lewis]

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.