Can I double up on the valve cover gasket to give me just a wee bit more clearance? Any other suggestions for gaining clearance?

I'd just replace them with taller ones, but I did some custom CNC machining on them, and I'd rather not spend the time and money to buy and machine new ones.

 

They have valve cover spacers at summit racing. Search for it there.

 

Do you have centerbolt or perimeter style bolts?

 

They also have a thick casket for this purpose.

 

Double gaskets will more than likely leak without a metal spacer in between. Gaskets don't seal very well to eachother.

 

Centre bolt, cast aluminum.

 

Find 2 of the thickest old school cork sbc gaskets you can get. Take a razor blade and remove the locking tabs, when you are done you will have the same profile as a center bolt gasket. Glue them together with a quality adhesive.

http://www.midwayauto.us/detailedpro...tion.asp?11553

This stuff makes regular RTV look like a red headed step child. It's over 2x the price for a reason. Kind of like 100mph tape vs. generic duct tape. Anyway.

Use a thin bead of sealant to adhere the gasket combo to your cover and let dry. While you are there fill in the gasket bolt holes with sealant and wipe clean, not letting any of the sealant get on the mating surface. After everything is dry install the covers barely over hand tight( cork does'nt need to be crushed to seal) and your done.

I hope this is helpful to you. BTW I have been using the cork sbc gasket on my cast cntr bolt covers forever with no problems. It seems most of the cast covers don't have as good of a retaining groove as the stockers and the stretch to fit felpro rubber gasket always manages to pop off during the install.