Thinking about casting some valve covers...

[Galaxie352]

Any progress on the valve covers ?

[jayb]

Yes, the tooling is done, and the foundry is working on getting me five prototypes in the next couple of weeks.  When I have them I will post pics and an update - Jay

[jayb]

After what seemed like endless delays at the pattern shop, core shop, and foundry, today I FINALLY received my first prototype valve cover castings.  They still need to be shot blasted, and machined, but as they are I think they look pretty good:  Pictures below; sorry for the poor lighting:







I will be getting them shot blasted on Monday, then machining Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I should be able to post pictures of some completed valve covers in about a week.

Assuming everything comes out OK, I will make the production order of 100 sets shortly thereafter.  Then I will be hostage to the foundry schedule again, but I think a good guess would be about 8 weeks until I can start delivering the parts.  For everyone on my list, thanks for your patience.

Also for anyone in the Minneapolis area who is planning to attend the big Back To The 50s show at the state fairgrounds June 23-25, I will be displaying my products, including these valve covers, at the show. 

[turbohunter]

Fantastic

[Joey120373]

Can't rush perfection....

[Yellow Truck]

How about adding a little door we can open to peek inside?

[Heo]

Are you going to machine them for a o-ring as gasket?

[jayb]

Are you going to machine them for a o-ring as gasket?

No, planning on using standard gaskets.  I will machine one of them for a clear cover, though, and that one will get an O-ring seal to the clear part.

[Heo]

I dont know but that damned gaskets always seems to get stuck
at valve mecanism and tear when removing the covers when there
is thight space around brakeboster exportbrace etc...so with a
glued o-ring that problem would be solved. And the retorquing
of corkgaskets that alwas want to sweat some oil. May be there
is better gaskets today ....I hate corkgaskets

[cjshaker]

Not sure how well an O-ring gasket would work with the mating area between the intake and head. Seems it always takes a dab of sealer there, and that wouldn't work with an O-ring.

The castings look nice. That foundry sure does nice work.
Question: what are the thicker angled areas on the underside for? Maybe just a thicker spot for machining the hole for the breather/PCV/oil hole? Also, I can't remember, will they have notches for the gaskets?

[jayb]

The thick areas are for the breathers, and I do plan to machine them for the notches to hold the valve cover gaskets.

[preaction]

Jay do you have a target price ?

[machoneman]

Jay, could those same molds be used to make say a super light weight yet strong  carbon fiber (ala' a lay up) valve cover as well?

[jayb]

Price for the plain or finned version will be $259/pair.  If you want custom lettering or something special, that will raise the price, depending on how long it takes me to program. 

Bob, the forms for the sand patterns are red urethane, so I don't think they could be used for a carbon fiber mold without having some sticking problems. 

[newfalconowner]

those look real cool, wish I was on the list and had the money for them. maybe next batch, but my 50th bday is Dec. maybe someone wants to get me an early present lol

Rick