Short of getting an intake with an oil fill tube, I see a funel as pretty much your only option.

 

Some (69-later) valve covers had a push-in rubber cap that just pulled out for putting in oil.
Some valve covers had a twist-in metal cap with 2 tabs to secure the cap in the valve cover.
In later years, some engines had an "extension" tube which fit into the hole where a twist-in metal cap would go. Then the top end of the extension tube was made to accept the twist-in metal cap. One of these extension tubes may be a possible option.
NO, I do not have a picture of one, but someone here may.

 

Those tubes were on some not all 69-72 Chevy pickups and Blazers. For the life of me I have never been able to figure out what determined if vehical got one. My non ac 72 Blazer had one, but my factory AC 72 Cheyanne Super did not when new. However, it does now have one.

 

Have the same issue here with several SBC that fill through a baffled hole in the valve cover. I've found it fills quicker with a little larger funnel, so I cut my small funnel off shorter to where diameter was larger. Then I also make sure I hold it off the baffle so the baffle isn't restricting the oil filling.
Other than that, it's tough with one hole in each valve cover, and one has a breather, and the other a PCV valve.

 

Just enjoy the pour! its a classic! its fun! (kidding )

 

Unless you've got an oil leaker, not done often enough to be a big issue really.

 

I also need to make a tight fitting funnel for mine with only baffled holes to pour into. Takes forever, and even longer when it spills over! Thanks for the idea. Maybe a couple of big notches in the tip of the funnel too.

 

slow and steady wins the race. can always get the oil can mechanics used back in the day. held a few quarts.

 

you can make a free funnel for pouring oil, by using... (drumroll please)... an empty one quart oil bottle - cut the bottom off.

One more tip - if topping the oil from a one quart bottle, pour with the open spout up/high, not open spout down/low. That way the oil doesn't go: glug, splash...glug,glug... splash..., etc

 

I can't tell from your picture, but if you have the original boss on the front, you can always have a machine shop cut a hole for the filler tube.

EXAMPLE ON YOUTUBE

Ed

 

How about taking the 4 screws, bolts or stud nuts off the valve cover, and pop the valve cover off pore in the oil and pop the cover back on? You will have to glue the gasket to the valve cover but who does not do that anyway? I use regular cork gaskets and I have taken the covers off probably 10 times ( = 10 years) without any leaks before I replace the gaskets. Gaskets are not expensive.
Todd

 

You don't have an option apart from replacing the intake manifold, if your just topping up the oil level, slow and steady wins the race.

 

1. Warm your oil up some first (micro-wave oven, but don't get carried away) 2. use the funnel as suggested, keep the tip off the baffle or modify the funnel as suggested. 3. Be sure the engine has some "venting" so as not to build up pressure that could slow the oil up going in. 4. Get some valve covers that will allow a quicker fill. 5. have the intake modified to take a fill tube and use the screw-on style cap. 6. And this one is just plain silly; fabricate a Nascar style "oil filler", like they have for adding fuel during a race (told you it was silly). I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Another trick I use when filling oil is to poke a hole in an old rag, and stick the funnel through the hole. That way if I do accidentally have any spills the rag catches most of it, and I don't end up with a major cleanup on valve covers.

 

Pull the breather on one side and the PCV on the other side and stick a quart in each 1 while you get your next to quarts ready.

 

Problem is with a baffle under each the bottles wont stay in the holes, so if you let go to start another bottle of oil you're gonna have a real mess when the first falls out!
I have to not only hold them, but also hold them slightly off the baffle so it doesn't close off the bottle and slow it down further.

 

On mine, I am able to let the threads of the bottle hook the lip of the valve cover and holds it far enough off the baffle to let it pour in, it is not fast by any means but steady.

 

Wish mine would hook on the opening. Two of my SBC engines wont allow it. One is newer fabricated valve covers, and the other are old Mr Gasket finned. Both have close fitting baffles.
My Brodix valve covers on my '39 Chev had no holes or baffles, so I put Mr Gasket baffled grommets in holes I made. They had a single slit across the grommet, and I knew they'd be an issue to fill oil. So before installing them I used a razor blade to make a second slit perpendicular to the first to make a crosshair style opening. So I can push a funnel in and it opens up the baffle and also holds the funnel.
I'm thinking about buying another pair, and remove a baffle from one side of both of my other cars, so they'll also be easier to fill oil.

 

Remember when oil came in a round metal can?
Todd

 

Remember when oil came in a round metal can?
Todd

Yes! I loved shooting them as a kid.

 

I still have one of these:

 

Thats not one of them thar new Kovid tests is it Pops?🤣

 

Thats not one of them thar new Kovid tests is it Pops?

No, it's part of the new DIY colonoscopy test!

Ed