I saw this valve cover for sale on eBay recently, and it got me thinking about valve covers (or maybe I already was, since I must have plugged "Falcon Valve Cover" into eBay to find it): I think Offenhauser once made a finned valve cover for these engines, and I know Edelbrock did. I think these are both long out of production, and have no idea how much they would cost. I really like the finned model produced by the folks at Cl***ic Inline: I also really like the block-script F O R D stamped steel valve cover that was used on the early model engines. Alas, I don't have one, as somebody swapped in a later engine with the Power by Ford valve cover. This is an okay valve cover, but reminds me more of 1970s trucks, than a 1961 p***enger car. Maybe painted differently with the script highlighted, it might look better, but the font and graphic design elements just don't say "Kennedy Era" to me. I absolutely love this home-cast Nailhead valve cover, done by a HAMBster from Finland, and I wish something with this type of finning existed for the small six: What other options are there? Anybody got a nice-looking engine they'd like to show off to me? As I type this, I've considered digging up a blank stamped valve cover (they're out there, both as OE Ford stuff and as chrome aftermarket), and bolting on a "Comet" fender badge for that hot "I've got a Mercury mill" look. -Dave
the chromed ones i've seen advertised look so cheesy (think Autozone chrome aisle) and unworthy of an engine bay that has ANY kind of work invested in it. i would LOVE to see more of that "Falcon" cast unit... something that doesn't scream $14.99 on sale or billet dreamz... i realize the Falcon six valve cover has a LOT of contours stamped into it... but then again so does a 348/409. us Falcon fans are sometimes hard put to get anything un-Mustang for our engines.
That Falcon cast unit is back on eBay, as it failed to meet reserve somewhere north of $200. It's currently listed at $300. -Dave
Boy, if I could find one of these cheap, I might really be inclined to also seek out a smooth valve cover (or just blast the chrome off one of the aftermarket ones) to attach it. -Dave
Something about the Cl***ic Inline valve cover and intake manifold looks ****py to me... The fins just don't look right... I have thought about making my own valve covers since I'm building a foundry to do intakes. FrankBoss
The fins on the CI valve cover are very fine. I think MoPar LA-series small-block crate engines come with a very similar valve cover design. It’s almost 1970s looking in a way, but it seems to be the best of what’s around currently. The Clifford valve cover is far worse. If yours ends up looking like the Nailhead cover I illustrated, I’d gladly pay $150 or so for one. -Dave
I am interested to see where this goes. I would love a good looking cover for my engine as well. thinking of using old ford cover script and patching iit into mine. my ranchy has a 200ci and I want to pretty it up a bit
I have put the standard 170ci cover on a 200ci in my Squire Painted it gold with some simple striping and did the air cleaner to match, cut the end on a 45 and painted the interior red. I have plans to switch it out later as i have got hold of a original edelbrock finned cover and an offenhouser tri-carb manifold. just looking to track down 3 Holley gl*** bowl carbs to complete the period look. That ****ty breather cap has been switched for a ford one with decal Kyle
That's spiffy, sir. Wish mine had come with the OE valve cover. I'd probably be contemplating a direct-mount 2bbl swap instead of 3x1, if my engine bay looked that good. -Dave
There is another option, I also have a 2v head that came on Aussie falcons in the late sixtys, has an alloy intake with a holley 350, Probably the best design improvement over the log-in-head system. Would look cool also with a fabricated intake to take twin carbs. Kyle
Here's another variation; don't have a closeup at hand. Strong little motor in a 400lb. hydro hull......../Users/robb/Desktop/IMG_2354.JPG
Damn Kyle that is kick a$$. I kept my 140 valve cover as well and have it on my Aussie headed 200. But its just painted Ford Red like stock in 1960
Does anyone know if there where any split exhaust manifolds available in the day like 'Fenton's' or alike? We had this cast twin outlet from local speed shop 'Speco' which i would love to get hold off. I think if you are wanting to 'pretty up' an engine bay, a neat exhaust is a must. Would love to see what is out there. Kyle
===Old thread, BUT since I just discovered it, I figured someone else might be interested...kind of cool info. You can still get an old fashioned original OFFENHAUSER tri-carb intake with linkage...made by Offy, still - A little under $300., and still available from exeterauto Supply (a Hamb Alliance Vendor). www.exeterautosupply.com And in the PDF catalog, the item is on page #25: "1960-69 Ford six...": http://www.exeterautosupply.com/Docs/Offenhauser catalog.pdf The OFFY catalog Exeter shows on their website looks like they have never updated it since the '60s, and most of it is still MADE he says...even 348/409 valve covers. (Which I have seen otiginals sell for a lot of $...'cause they're "rare"!...They still make 'em!). Like finding a 1950s JC Whitney catalog and still being able to get the stuff that's in it.
Funny you bring this up. Madscience and I were just chatting about building our own Offy-style intakes - perhaps 2x1 or 2x2. -Dave
Dave, Did you ever find a plain Falcon valve cover? I think I have one around reality ranch here... here are my two humble attempts to pretty stuff up in 2/3 of the household Falcon fleet. The red and gold engine is in the girlfriends wagon, and she did the white lettering on the valve cover herself after I did the paint (just noticed these were before the white lettering. I have to learn how to load pictures to this computer! Or have a kid...). The weird Buick green engine is going into the Ranchero soon as I get some time to, but Elpollacko and I are going to do a triple Weber ICT (with silica bronzed pads) deal to my other 200 head before that happens. I couldn't find an Edlebrock triple so the script would match.
I actually ended up with one attached to the '65 Mustang 200 I bought, although I'm planning to use a block-script F O R D, 144 valve cover instead. -Dave
Snapped this in my garage this morning as some food for thought. Comets weren't Mercuries at first, so they never got a script valve cover, but I thought this kind of looked good. Badge might be off an outboard?
I just finished a fresh 200 CI thriftpower ford six, and i used KGB golden sun on the sheetmetal and such. Ignore the Insane mess that is my garage currently.
The Jalopy Journal
