I installed a dart block with eagle heads in a 57 210 and the tall valve covers hit the firewall. I unscrewed the body mount bolts and tried moving the body back but I only gained 1/8" . I have to have tall valve covers due to the roller rockers. If I move the body back any further the tires might hit and the placement of the body just wont look right. Any suggestions????
Tall Valve Covers Hit The Firewall
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2,418 Posts
Its sounds to me that if you have your engine in the stock location.. you might have to move it forward or the other option is to modify your firewall.
That correct. The owner said it had to have the stock motor/tranny mounts, but he doesnt want to touch the firewall. I was thinking of getting some aluminum valve covers cut a pie out of the back bent it down and have a welding shop tig weld it bacak together then just polish the weld a bit. I dont know if it would work i was thinking about doing it to some old covers first before I get a $200 set of covers and hack them up
We thought about that but after we started on the restoration...just about when the car was coming off the rotisserie the owner said he is "going to pick this car apart" before it leaves my shop, and that he is going to measure every tolerance that he can find in the installation manual with micrometer and an "angle finder" so I cant cut corners or make anything easy for myself. I am very particular about the work I do and have won trophies at the world of wheels because of it, but if I would have known this I don't think I would have taken on this project. Is there anything I can do?
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12,101 Posts
Just put side mounts on the engine and move it forward 3/4" like a lot of people do. If it already has side mounts, modify them to move the engine forward. If the owner doesn't like that, ask him what he wants you to do to correct the interference. He can't just pick parts that don't work together and expect you to do the impossible.
I would want the body sitting correctly on the frame, so I would put it back where it was.
I would want the body sitting correctly on the frame, so I would put it back where it was.
When I put a tall BB in the wagon I fab'd up some round spacers about 1/4" thick to raise the whole body, worked for me, good day.
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14 Posts
Valve covers!
I use tall valve covers as well and initially had the same problem. I did exactly as you suggested early in this thread to cut a pie shape piece out and reweld and polish. They contour the fire wall nice now and I have no problems even with my Crane Roller rockers under them!
Norm
I use tall valve covers as well and initially had the same problem. I did exactly as you suggested early in this thread to cut a pie shape piece out and reweld and polish. They contour the fire wall nice now and I have no problems even with my Crane Roller rockers under them!
Norm
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2,125 Posts
The owner wants his cake and eat it too. He is not a guy that is set on a 100% stock 57 since he has the newer engine in it. I would also go the side mounts and the new rear tranny cross member. Both add stability to the engine and move it forward about 3/4 inch. But then again that might get ya too close to the engine (unless it was a 6 cylinder before...you didn't say). You can't have it 100% both ways. You give up a exact tolerance for the newer more powerful engine. Bet he also wants Power Disc Brakes too. What about Air conditioning and a 4 speed or e speed Auto?? How about Power Steering? All those things will offset the stock tolerances. There is no way to do it unless you notch the valve cover and in my opinion that would stand out like a sore thumb. The naked eye or even a tape measure would not tell a 3/4 move of the engine. Or take stock mounts and drill them further forward and then just weld up the old holes...no one would be the wiser. You cannot always have it both ways. Give him the alternate ways you can fix it and let him decide (its his car and money). I'd do side mounts (Just my 2 cents worth!!!
That was my first thought too. Tell him his roller rockers and tall valve covers are in the trunk, and you replaced them with stock stamped steel rockers and covers.
It sure sounds like he's going out of his way to give you a hard time, like he's trying to reduce his bill. If it were my car and you told me of the problem, I would ask 'What would you do if it were your car?'
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1,412 Posts
Some good advice already given, with that said I will add my 2-cents.............................The owner sounds like he trying to intimidate you with his threats of measuring everything etc.
I would as has been mentioned explain to him that there are just a couple of options and he has to make the choice, not you.
If you make the choice it will of course be your fault no matter how good it turns out. He will find something to point to that is not what he wanted or expected.
I hope you are charging him some pretty good bucks to put up with his attitude?
good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.
Don, aka.....the hamsman
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492 Posts
What is this guy's major malfunction? No, seriously, are people this ignorant or stubborn or fill-in-the-blank whatever? What's this guy's plans for the car. What does he EXPECT you to do if there's only so many options.
As icody says-it's obviously past a stone-cold stocker looking for 100 points at some show, because of the modifications...unless there's a show allowing a non-stock motor that I'm unaware of.
My 2 cents too--motor mount route. BTW how much room do you need?
My 2 cents part two--dump this customer.
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2,418 Posts
I agree with Otis... Make him pay!!! If he doesn't want to upgrade to side mounts that will stabalize his engine, which he's going to need, and measure everything as you say. Your in for a loooonnng headache. Goodluck!!
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930 Posts
I would not made one mod on that car made him decide on what to do and with
this guy I would let him know all phone calls with him are going to be recorded
HE sounds like the type (no matter what you do it's wrong ) that doesn't pay
because you didn't do it to his liking Be careful with this guy
this guy I would let him know all phone calls with him are going to be recorded
HE sounds like the type (no matter what you do it's wrong ) that doesn't pay
because you didn't do it to his liking Be careful with this guy
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492 Posts
Excellent idea--recording. I'd have that recorder/VCam. on if he was in my shop also. geez...
Wow thanks to everyone who responded this is better than I ever expected. The recorder v/cam is a great idea I will be looking for a quality one tomorrow. I will tell my customer without changing the body mounts he has two options shim the body, or cut and weld the valve covers....if you cut all the corners( front & rear) to match would that look odd or would it blend in? Thanks again for all of the input I appreciate every little bit of knoledge.
This car has had alot of work done so far, It was a MN car so the underbody was completly replaced floor, trunk, shock towers, inner & outer rockers, full quarters, lower fender patches, Rt door skin, Lt lower door shell, inner structure patches, everything was completly taken apart sandblasted/media blasted epoxyed smoothed over painted and carefully reinstalled. At this point we are at hanging the left fender and wiring as we go interior has dyna mat laid down and awaiting carpet dash is mostly wired up. The car is black with gunmetal. The dash matches outside of the car. I will post some pics of the work we have done and the point we are at now.
Otis This is a great site Im very glad I joined.
Thanks again
This car has had alot of work done so far, It was a MN car so the underbody was completly replaced floor, trunk, shock towers, inner & outer rockers, full quarters, lower fender patches, Rt door skin, Lt lower door shell, inner structure patches, everything was completly taken apart sandblasted/media blasted epoxyed smoothed over painted and carefully reinstalled. At this point we are at hanging the left fender and wiring as we go interior has dyna mat laid down and awaiting carpet dash is mostly wired up. The car is black with gunmetal. The dash matches outside of the car. I will post some pics of the work we have done and the point we are at now.
Otis This is a great site Im very glad I joined.
Thanks again
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