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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: aj on November 20, 2018, 02:28:43 PM

Title: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: aj on November 20, 2018, 02:28:43 PM

One one side,  I have .050 misalignment along the valve cover rail.   The intake section of the rail is lower than the head section.

At this point, I'm not willing to disassemble to do any milling of the rail.

Any suggestions from ye ole wise men ?

I don't suppose there a source for valve cover rail shims.

The only solution that comes to mind is adhering a valve cover gasket to the rail using a fairly firm-setting product (Right Stuff, TA31, etc) as filler material.

Other suggestions ?

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: blykins on November 20, 2018, 02:57:18 PM

Looks to me like the intake is sitting too low, which means that the ports possibly couldn't be lined up the way they should. 

If it were me, I'd pull the intake, see how the ports line up, and if they allow, use a thicker intake gasket. 

If you're not willing to do anything at all to correct it, then I'd try some silicone at the joint, use a cork gasket, and cinch it down tight.

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: C8OZ on November 20, 2018, 07:24:49 PM

Absolutely no chance the block-to-head dowels are hiding in the bolt bucket?

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: Lg57 on November 21, 2018, 04:33:53 PM

Anyone notice the intake is sitting tight against to china wall on the block. Intake is definitely too low.

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: cjshaker on November 21, 2018, 06:39:38 PM

Quote from: Lg57 on November 21, 2018, 04:33:53 PM

Anyone notice the intake is sitting tight against to china wall on the block. Intake is definitely too low.

The first line, in the first response  :P

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: Stangman on November 21, 2018, 06:47:26 PM

It dont even look like there is a gasket in there between the intake and head

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: fekbmax on November 21, 2018, 08:40:53 PM

Yeah, makes little since to me. Engine out and easy to get to, I'd be taking the top end off and trying to get things right.
Jmo

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: aj on November 22, 2018, 07:19:56 AM

Quote from: fekbmax on November 21, 2018, 08:40:53 PM

Engine out and easy to get to.
Jmo

As much as I want to keep project moving ahead, this little nugget slapped some sense back into me.  Now's time to pull intake and make corrections.

Chine wall:  Photo is deceiving.  Gap between intake and block was 1/8-3/16" and sealed with TA31. 

Thicker gaskets:  I used Mr G. 206 (.060 thick).   I see Felpro 1246-S3 are .065  and Blue Thunder at .120   

Wondering if any others between .065 and .120 ?

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: Barry_R on November 22, 2018, 08:23:38 AM

If everything else is perfectly fine you can use a sander to trim a ledge on a cork gasket and "custom fit" it to work fine.

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: philminotti on November 22, 2018, 05:29:01 PM

I had misalignment...I used TA-31 and a plastic squeegee to level the surface.  Cork gasket and wheel bearing grease.  7000 miles on my Cobra and not a hint of a leak.  Sometimes, good enough is just fine.

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: olman on November 22, 2018, 06:46:38 PM

Curious to know if your distributor is in and what does the other side of the intake look like.

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: aj on November 22, 2018, 09:40:33 PM

I attached a couple photos of the installed distributor.   Also an overhead pic that shows the misalignment at each corner.

Thanks for the comments so far.

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: Ranch on November 23, 2018, 12:03:43 PM

Can you take a peak down the thru the intake runner with a Bore Scope to see if you can see if there is a  misalignment there?  ...Just a thought

Title: Re: Valve Cover Rail
Post by: aj on November 23, 2018, 12:46:10 PM

We’re on same wave length. I just ordered borescope on amazon.