I apologize if this is in the wrong tech section but i figured that not too many people who post in LT1 general tech had really high lift cams or experience with them in the LT1s. Please move if im in the wrong section.

My question is that im will be installing a .642 lift in my car and im wondering if im going to have problems with clearance under LT4 composite style valvecovers. My setup is comp cams promagnum 1.6 rollers, arp studs (not girdled), AFR 220 heads, LT4 composite valve covers (thought id list the parts in case it mattered). The thing is its in a Corvette and i don't think i can relocate the altenator like on the F-bodies. Anyone know if ill have clearance problems under these covers?

 

I have a 396" with AFR 195's hogged out to 218-220.

I've got a solid roller in the .660ish" area. I'm running stock valve covers (but they are the stamped metal.) And the tops are slightly dimpled for clearance.

I'm not sure about the LT4's, but you could possibly instal them, turn the motor over by hand a few times and look for interference. Then you could possibly grind/sand down those spots in those composite valve covers.

Another thing to gain a precious bit of clearence is to run the tall cork gaskets for a SBC. I just cut the tabs for the perimeter valve cover bolts off and glue them to my valve covers.

 

I tried running stock covers with thick cork gaskets and a cam with ~0.620" lift and Pro-Mag rockers and it was no dice. I bought a set of cheap tall covers and modified them to clear the alternator.

Rich Krause

 

I have the Crane or Comp normal 1.6 roller rockers.

And that .660"ish lift is with the 1.6 rocker factored in.

I want to go with a set of shaft mounts when I freshen the motor up, but I really want to keep my stock valve covers. Maybe I'll find or build a spacer?

I gotta get a picture up of my engine bay. Looks nearly factory stock, yet runs 10's

 

Hey ddr698 did you try those stud mount 1.6 rockers yet ??
I think you will find that they wont work. Your going to need a
offset rocker
A.F.R told me to use the t&d offset shaft mount rockers
i think they where .450 offset

 

You could do what I heard George Baxter did: he got a second set of stock valve covers. Cut them up and welded to make one tall set that still looked stock.

Rich Krause

 

Thanks for the idea rskrause... I think I'll do that. I've only got about 5 extra sets of stock valve covers laying around.

I gotta post pics of my engine bay...

 

I used the rockers on my AFR 190s i had previously and had no problems. I think you are thinking of raised runner 215s? Ive never heard of a problem with needing offset rockers.

If they don't fit ill pry buy some fabbed aluminum ones and cut/weld them to fit i guess, my engine bay doesn't look stock anyway so its no big deal. I just didn't know what to do with the alt, but i guess just cut around it.

 

just be ready to spend about $920.00
it was a suprise to me also

 

pick up a alternator relocation kit then you can bolt any center bolt tall valve cover on.

 

That would pry work if I had an F-body