Searched for home made valve covers but came up empty. Anyone try this? Lets see them. I think i'll take a shot at it or at least i'll have a jello dish.
Nope I don't have some or anything. Not a big deal unless you're trying for something off the wall like a W Motor or a MOPAR Poly. Never the less here's a bump for ya.
Your right, it shouldn't be difficult. Trick would be to make something tasteful without the use of cnc billet. I was staring at my sbf, which has cal chromes and looks fine but other than those and cobra covers, there isn't much out there. So i was thinking taller, wider, maybe with a 292-312 flare with 2 acorn nuts on top. Just a thought.
Carb-Otto made his own wooden buck and had aluminum ones cast. Very interesting post and well worth a read.
Don't have a link, but others have cut tops off Thunderbird, Cadillac, etc vaive covers and welded them to tops of valve covers for engine they are using. I have a SBF too and love the polished fin covers, but too high tech for my project. So, will watch for pics and details on what you end up with.
Caping a existing cover is probaly they way i'm going to start. Like to see what guys have done. First i have to collect some old covers .Maybe just try making my own. I'm not talking aliminium thou. Steel, something that i can plate later, maybe in nickel. I'm kinda surprised no one has posted more of their handiwork. Except of course, those elaborite cast ones which blows me away but i'm not going there.
I was thinking about making a set, here's some from the interweb i've found... it's more a matter of how many parts you want to bend/machine, you could just modify stock sheet steel ones with a new top but make sure you leak test them before install
I'd make aluminum ones, weld them smooth them out with a nice radii and then have them bead blasted for a more cast look, or polish them up for a show look. do a image search for "fabricated valve covers"
My buddy cast his own set of finned aluminum ones for a Caddy 500. Also, the Hilborne was originally for a 426 Hemi before he put it through a table saw and made his own finned valley and welded it all up together...
Turns out that the REAL smart guys have CAD-CAM capability in their "backyards." Part of the problem with this deal is that you end up with fifteen hours in two parts that replace items you can find for reasonable money, and they may or may not work as well. They are certainly cool as artistic statements, but might not stand up to scrutiny in the "form follows function" category.
Your absloutly right. Home made on the cheap, cool covers. Where are they. Everything else has been beat to death like air cleaners.
You peaked my interest, picked up a 302 and tunnel ram for my truck project and cool valve covers are few and far between for SMALL BLOCK FORD POWER I hope someone comes up with something interesting that will also look good with a tall intake and clear roller rocker arms.
Check these out. bling. They should clear. Make it look like a FE to. To rich for my blood but looks great http://www.performanceunlimited.com/
Those are pretty cool but probably a little rich for my blood as well. I'm on a pretty tight budget myself being self employed with a wife and baby.
i've had this idea for awhile now, it's to take some 1/4"x1/2" stainless strips and tack them to just plain stamped steel covers. instant fins.
heres mine ! had my machinist friend make me some adapters to mount up cheepie steel fe t bird covers !