I see adapters that mate 235 covers onto 292's - can anyone tell me the practical reason for doing this? Is there more clearance in a 235 cover for large valve springs or something of that nature?
There is more nostalgia in a 235 cover; idea is fake retro chic, like Olds or Hemi covers on a new crate motor. The fundamental drive in mainstream streetrodding is to build an old car with as little old content as possible.
I have to go with what Bruce said in that a lot of guys want to have their newer engines look like an earlier model engine. As far as my 292 I am just going to paint it a proper 48 engine color, put an Offy valve cover on it and matching trim pieces and call it good. It will look like a honked up old engine to 80% of the people walking by and sticking their nose under the hood and a trimmed out 292 to the 20% in the know. Fake valve covers are a bit like fake boobs. They make the person who has them feel better and important but don't really serve any purpose beyond making a visual difference. And we all still know that they are fake anyhow.
Are you sure about this? I have seen adapters to go from a 235 using four bolts into the head to the 216 version using 2 bolts at the top of the VC. The Gen Three sixes (250, 292, etc.) have a very different configuration that seems to me would be hard to adapt. Otherwise, I agree with the others. There is something odd about faking something to make it look older or more traditional than it really is. Especially those Olds Rocket valve cover fakes used on small block Chevys. My 2 cents...
If I had a nice valve cover on a 235 that went south and I replaced with a 292, then I might buy one if it was cheaper than a new 292 cover.
Here's a 292, Gen 3 cover: Here's a 235 Gen 2: Looks like a lot of adapter would be necessary...assuming one is readily available. Pretty sure that it would be pretty obvious, even to the casual observer??? This is the 216 configuration used by most of the manufacturers of aftermarket cast alumunimum parts. It uses only the two holes in the top of the cover that originally mounted to the rocker shaft mounts. Adapers are available to go from the 4 bolt to head method to the two bolt rocker mount...or just source some 216 studs for the 235 shafts...
The adapter is a flat plate, maybe 1/4" thick, that screws down to the seven holes on the newer heads, then uses the two 216 type studs for the VC. I wouldn't bother with it for one of those plain chromed VC's, but if I didn't have a 235 or 261 to run a cast aluminum Nicson or Sharp VC on, well, why not? Later, Kinky6
Here's the adapter to mount a 235 cover on a 194, 230, 250, 292. Must be some demand to warrant stocking/offering it. http://stoveboltengineco.com/index....:category=361514&mode=product&product=1409135
All thius concern about "fake" this and "fake"that.......what's the big deal about valve covers any more so than any other swapped part that the owner likes the look of better. Wheel covers, headlights, taillights, instrument panels and more have all been popular swaps over the years. Do you really think the guys who used Auburn dash panels were trying to fool people into thinking they had an Auburn? Or Olds Fiesta flipper wheel covers on other makes..........they don't make anyone think they're lookin' at an Olds, do they ??? The "fake" stuff I would save my criticism for is non-functional stuff, like fake Lakes pipes, inoperative blowers, fake dual exhaust pipes..........at least a valve cover is functional, no matter it's origin. Ray
Some of the guys running the later sixes,use the adapter to clear racing style valve train.alot of the cast covers for the 194-292 engines have clearance issues.Check leo Santucci 6 power manual.Im with everyone on it is what it is,though I seen is one of my vintage rod mags,a set of continental valve covers on a SBC ,looked cool circa 1958.
Good point and one I didn't think of. If you had a really nice early cast valve cover that you wanted to run the adapter would make it work. That does open up some possibilities. I was thinking more on the lines that unless you are a connoisseur of Chevy sixes you probably aren't going to know the difference as long as the engine is painted the the right color for an early engine and has proper looking goodies on it. That was my original intent for the 292 for the 48, grey paint, cast valve and side covers, twin carb manifold and a pair of Hellings and Stellings style air cleaners on top of the carbs.
It isn't about "faking" anything. When you use roller rockers, you need more clearance than the stock cover provides. The 235 cover is larger. Problem solved....
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