Info on M/T valve covers

I have been eyeing a set for a SBF and I am curious about the history. When did these hit the market? Do they clear roller rockers? Or were they just a blip on the radar screen of valve covers?

 

I don't know all that but I know they cover rollers

 

Oh and they just look *****ing!
Here's my 302

 

I love me some Mel Tillus valve covers!!!

 

^^HA! I thought they were for Monster Trucks.

 

Have a set of flea market finds for $35. Seal great and take a pretty good polish

 

i think they came out in the late 60's, although my friend and i want'ed 'em in the 70's and 80's! thats how i think of them.

 

While my truck is not exactly "period correct" I want to avoid something obviously newer than 70's in design. I love the cal custom covers and the Edelbrock finned covers....but i have a soft spot for the M/T covers.

 

When I see them,I think late 60's-early 70's.I like them too.Picked up a nice sbc set last year on craigslist for $20.I also heard that they are being made again.

 

The early ones have the filler hole down low
like the ones shown in post #3

They say 289 on the inside .... no 302 yet. The 1" holes they have make them kind of a pain to get gromets for.

My new ones in the box are from 67

 

There are sand cast covers pre 64 but diecast M/T covers are brand new in 1965. The 65-68 covers for SBF have a sealing issue do to a 1/16th gap between the gasket rail and the head. Modern 5.0 and aftermarket heads generally seal very well do to the casting of the head being thicker in this area. These valve covers, as with the rest of the M/T line gets a revamp in 69 resulting in a narrower cover which was later offered with the Holley name. Edelbrock versions of both styles were also made.

As for the holes in the ends of the covers they were sized for PCV valves but necked down adapter tubes were available with the covers. Often a NOS pair will have at least one of these tubes inside the box. On some of these covers the knockouts will have the engine brand logo where the PCV goes but the earliest examples will not. From what I've found the logos appear in late 66.

 

I didn't have any problem getting gromets for mine. Every Schucks oreileys has them

 

I have a set and they did not clear the roller rockers ..

 

Sheesh, I always thought they were made by Mother Tucker!

 

Hey! Somebody put an extra carb on your intake when you weren't lokking...I like it!

 

Mine have holes in both covers like the center/top pic. One for filler cap and one for air intake. Both turn and lock

 

My name is Mike Thomas, so I have a set to put on my car and they are Mike Thomas valve covers! I have roller rockers and a stud girdle, they clear...... with an 1 1/2" spacer beneath them

 

I had them on my HP289 Ford in my '48 Morris Van in the early 70's. I always told people it stood for Morris truck.

 

spiffy1937,
That thing is sweet.

 

I dig the mickey thompson's!