Looking for a certain type of valve cover for a 390

I am looking for some finned valve covers for a 390. I have found several sets, but I am looking for some with the tab for the plug wire separators. Do these exist?

 

Most of them do have them. But try Tony Branda. google him

 

I will check that out. I also want some without holes for breathers. I am just way too picky.

 

As James said, it's fairly easy to find finned FE covers with the tab...basically it's a 428CJ cover. Any of the Mustang repro vendors, of which Tony Branda is one, carry them. As a rule, you can often find used originals for around $250-$300 a set. However, I have never seen any without holes for breathers/oil fill.

Here's one possibility for you: http://www.ford-y-block.com/appearance.htm
This is John Mummert's web site, and though the site is not the most "polished", so to speak, I have always found him to be a reliable vendor. The pictured covers don't have a tab, but possibly you could fab some.

The other idea I have is to talk to a Blue Thunder dealer. Mummert is one; Survival Motorsports is another. http://store.survivalmotorsports.co...-cover-set-ford-big-block-fe-390-427-428.html Barry at Survival is another reliable vendor. You might check to see if he could order a set that don't have drilled holes (though the boss would still be there). I would guess, knowing Blue Thunder, that it would take several months to receive them, as they are actually a foundry and BT is only a part of their business (they always get stuff done eventually, but the wait has to be expected and planned for...if that makes sense).

I don't remember if the old Cal Custom FE covers have tabs or not.

 

I really like the ones in that first link. Those are nice. Those just might go on the wish list. Thanks.

 

'61-'63 Tbird Valve Covers don't have breather holes.

 

I actually had a set of those and someone stole them. I considered getting another set, but haven't found any that are cheap enough. They also stole my factory air cleaner housing at the same time.

 

I was referring to the 428CJ covers...

 

Sorry about that,I just went back and read the whole post.

 

What's special about the '61-'63 covers? I only remember the stamped "F O R D" and "T H U N D E R B I R D" ones, not that I know j/s about third-gen 'Birds. Can't recall any castings from that era.

I loves me my cast Y block Thunderbird covers, though.

 

My valve covers on my 62 Monterey has Mercury stamped on them and they don't have the breather holes. Those finned covers on the ford y-block site look awesome. I would like some of them myself.

 

The Thunderbird ones all have the THUNDERBIRD on them instead of FORD in block letters. The 352s and smaller had the FORD covers. I have a set of covers for a 352 that I may have to run for a while. The engine build has got way out of hand.

 

I've got a set of Holley (aka M/T) VC's that have provisions for holes but haven't been punched through. I take it that you want clean Finned VC's that are finned all of the way across. I never have liked the looks of the M/T & Holley's. All of the other finned VC's I have do have holes. Wieand, Cal-Custom & CJ OEM fords.

Those Mummert FE valve covers are really nice. Guess that I'll have to save up my can & bottle deposit money for a set. Lets see $0.05 per can and $250 thats 5000 cans or 833 sixpacks. Man I'm thirsty all of a sudden.

Movin/on

 

I have a set of chrome ones in the second link above you can have cheap in about a month or so when I set engine. I am pulling them off and using the original Mercury ones.

 

I apprieciate the offer, but a friend just got a powder coating setup and he is going to powder coat my factory ones for now. How is the Merc coming along?