Author Topic: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers  (Read 52512 times)

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Barry_R

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2017, 08:21:20 PM »
Sign me up for a couple pair.

Been kinda tangled up with "non-FE" things, but trying to get back into normal mode...

cjshaker

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #16 on: March 17, 2017, 12:29:29 AM »
I'd also like to get on the list, please put me down for 2 pair...style to be determined.
Doug Smith


'69 R-code Mach 1, 427 MR, 2x4, Jerico, 4.30 Locker
'70 F-350 390
'55 Ford Customline 2dr
'37 Ford Coupe

482supersnake

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #17 on: March 17, 2017, 11:37:19 AM »
Looks real good Jay! I was wondering what you have been up to... So is the grey colored area on top where you would mill flat and put the plexi top cover on? Hard to tell for sure but looks like it. If that is the case, what is the height for this option?

Put me down for a set with plexiglass top, if I change my mind later, I would go ahead and get "lightning bolts & Mercury" script, like a 65-66 Merc valve cover. One or the other or possibly both.

Heck... are you sure you can't just run the 3D plastic covers? I think they have a high heat material that can be printed... this and a plastic tunnel ram would look good on your adapter and be LIGHTWEIGHT, maybe for a drag car?

Thanks for your efforts. Kudos!

The cutoff for the plexiglas version is about 3" high, a little lower than the gray plastic on the complete cover.  It would be about the height of the cutoff cover shown in the pictures.  As far as making them from plastic, I don't know if that would work or not.  I think from a material standpoint ABS plastic might work, but if you think about how the parts are 3D printed, there are some areas where very small gaps can occur, because the plastic goes on in thin layers.  Around curves there may be an issue.  The prints shown here are made with a material called PLA.  PLA has a fairly low melting point and wouldn't work on the car due to temperature considerations.  ABS would I think, but ABS shrinks dramatically when it cools, and my efforts to print large ABS parts have not been successful because of that.  However, I am in the process of printing some intake manifolds for testing on the dyno, and that will really tell me if this will work or not.  Stay tuned...

Not to get to far from the original thread but......... What would something like this cost versus a cast aluminum manifold?
Keep up the great work.
Scott

jayb

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #18 on: March 17, 2017, 03:57:16 PM »
It would probably cost about the same; they take a long time to print.  However, they are not airtight as printed, they would need to be painted or coated with something to seal them up.  Also, the plastic may not be good for underhood temps.  They are dyno pieces only, I think, and I am not planning on making them to sell.
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

newfalconowner

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2017, 05:06:43 PM »
hmm, so you can print a 427 SOHC for display purposes,, now I need one

482supersnake

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2017, 08:22:48 PM »
It would probably cost about the same; they take a long time to print.  However, they are not airtight as printed, they would need to be painted or coated with something to seal them up.  Also, the plastic may not be good for underhood temps.  They are dyno pieces only, I think, and I am not planning on making them to sell.

Good too know Jay. I know Ford has been using 3D printing for custom intakes for a while now with great success.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/3d-computer-printed-parts-speed-development-for-ford/

jayb

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2017, 08:24:41 PM »
My guess is that Ford has a better 3D printer than I do  ;D
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

482supersnake

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2017, 09:21:55 PM »
Just add a couple more zeros to your budget :). We have some really nice ones at work also. Unfortunately printing intakes isn't allowed.
Thread hi-jack done. ;)

Dumpling

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #23 on: March 22, 2017, 12:35:49 AM »
I'd like a set.  Estimated price?  Clear brake booster?  Baffles under the breathers?  Breathers in plexiglass, or baffled side mounted breathers?  Coating on the inside of the plexiglass to try to keep them clear?  Spare plexiglass to use for show, keeping clean? 

jayb

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #24 on: March 22, 2017, 09:11:29 AM »
Estimated price is $259 for a normal set, and $329 for a set with the clear top. 

Whether or not they clear the brake booster will depend on the car.  For a Mustang, there is sufficient stock in the casting to machine for clearance; on my 69 Torino, I don't think I could do anything to make them fit.  Case by case basis, but if a stock pentroof will fit, mine will fit.

There will be sheet metal baffles under the breathers, but I wasn't planning any for the plexiglass tops; I would leave installing side baffles to the end user.

No coating planned for the clear tops, but I could certainly make replacements or spares.

Email me if you want me to put you on my waiting list, jayb@fepower.net
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Dumpling

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #25 on: March 22, 2017, 12:49:06 PM »
Whatever happened to the all-clear vacuum-molded Lexan valve covers project?

jayb

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #26 on: March 22, 2017, 03:41:33 PM »
The project is still ongoing, and I hope to have those valve covers available also later in the summer.  I need to test them in under-hood conditions, in hot weather, to make sure they survive before I put them up for sale.  FYI I will be running a set of those on my new dyno mule; they are well proven for dyno use.
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

stroked67

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #27 on: April 03, 2017, 04:07:12 PM »
hell yeah! put me down for a pair. (FE Power) scripted on both with one breather on both! What about a smaller engraving saying (ALL THROTTLE NO BOTTLE) underneath the FE Power.  Doable?

jayb

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #28 on: April 03, 2017, 07:57:27 PM »
Sure, that's do-able.  I like it!  Please email me your name, to jayb@fepower.net.  I will have you down for pair #34.
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Posi67

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Re: FE Power Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
« Reply #29 on: April 05, 2017, 12:19:03 AM »
I'm in for a pair of plain with screw in caps and or breathers. Are the hole openings optional and will you do both front and/or back as required.