I apologize in advance for this post, but I need to vent a little and then I have a real question.

To make a long story short, I am using Doug's end stands on my rocker setup and therefore none of the stock valve covers in my stash will fit. VC are the last part I need before the engine is complete. This build has taken me over 4 years for a variety of personal/financial/logistical reasons that none of you want to hear about, lol. I want to drive this car at some point before I die of old age.

I decided that, despite the all-used-parts, on-the-cheap nature of this engine build, that I will splurge on a nice set of BT aluminum pent roof valve covers. Without getting into details I spent 3 weeks after placing my order for them calling and getting no calls back only to find out that they may be out of stock and then, finally, no call back to even confirm that. Everyone makes mistakes in business and drops the ball occasionally, but I was patient until about the 4th dropped ball and had to move on for my own sanity, such as it is. OK, enough on that.

My second choice for VC were chrome pentroofs--I had wanted to stay away from chrome and flash for this car, but, whatever--I want to DRIVE this thing eventually. I ordered a set of Tony Branda's pent roofs with oil holes for $150 and they just came in.

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Stamping quality is OK, chrome is alright, but looks like Taiwan chrome and they will probably rust in a year or two. At this point I am disappointed with the quality, but I want to drive this thing. Here is the one that really gets me...

[img][/img]

NO OIL BAFFLE! I could have just bought the $39.99 ebay specials and had the same lack of quality and lack of function for much less money. I should have figured--the universe/god doesn't want me to drive this car. I know from experience that I will be sucking oil in the PCV and leaking out of the breather unless I have baffles in there, so here is my actual question:

Has anyone fabbed up baffles or pulled them out of factory covers and installed them before? I am thinking the only way to attach them without damaging the exterior of the cover will be to use JB weld or something--but I don't even want to think about the mess it would make if that epoxy broke loose and the baffle started getting beat to death by the rockers...Any ideas for a frustrated FE'er?

Try these:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1=MOR%2D68790&N=700+%2D152184+115&autoview=sku

They bolt in, but surely could be just JB welded and work fine. If the $6 is too much, then just a simple piece of sheetmetal cut/bent will suffice for even less.


LarryK

1964 Galaxie 2dr 390/6-71/4spd
1964 Country Sedan Wagon 428/5spd
1969 F100 428/4spd
1967 F100 352/now a 4 spd!
1959 B Model Mack

if you have the summit part number or a description i can pull it up myself on their web site. thanks for your help

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

Moroso 68790


LarryK

1964 Galaxie 2dr 390/6-71/4spd
1964 Country Sedan Wagon 428/5spd
1969 F100 428/4spd
1967 F100 352/now a 4 spd!
1959 B Model Mack

I looked around on summit's site and there are some baffles there--the only ones that might work pass through the valve cover hole and are secured with a locking nut on the outside of the cover.

I may try to fab some that are U-shaped and go from one valve cover rail upward past the oil fill hole and then down to the other rail--that way they are not held in with any epoxy or screws. I might also look at connecting a home made baffle through the oil hole itself. Any other ideas are welcome!

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

With my spring eliminators and end stands they wouldn't fit either so I removed the baffles and used them as a template to make new shorter ones that would clear, then screwed them back in with locktite.

I'm hoping if one of he screws ever comes out it will get washed down into the oil pan and stay there..

Thanks..
Ian D..

fab up a baffle yourself and bolt it to the top of the rocker assembly using the existing bolts?

That would be pretty slick. I have some clay at the shop that I can put between the rockers and VC to get the shape of that space...

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

Jason;
Try the grommet/baffle combination, I used to see them on the "Tree" at the local NAPA store.
Kam

Jason;
Try the grommet/baffle combination, I used to see them on the "Tree" at the local NAPA store.
Kam

If the chrome doesn't start peeling off after they are heated up a couple of times I will be suprised. Did you see these posted in the classifieds on the 15th?

http://www.network54.com/Forum/75943/message/1229368720/NEW++BLUETHUNDER+427+REPRO+PENTROOF+VALVE+COVERS

thegoingthing.com

Yea, I saw that add, but those do not appear to have the oil fill holes.



I'm disappointed to hear about the chrome pealing, but after taking a closer look at these, they look so cheap that I may return them just due to their appearance. I didn't spend all of this time and money on this engine only to top it with something that looks like I bought it from advance auto parts for $25. I'm really bummed--and pissed. Here is my email to branda:

To Whom It May Concern:

I recently ordered a set of chrome pent roof valve covers (with oil holes) from your company. They arrived yesterday. I am writing to express my disappointment with their quality and design for a $150 part, as well as the lack of information that your web site provides.

The quality of the stamping is OK, but the chrome looks the same as the chrome that you get on the ebay, made in taiwan, valve covers. I expect that these will rust within a year or two from previous experience with imported chrome parts. The presence of stretch marks and grooves in the chrome indicates that they were not polished or smoothed during the chrome process and every flaw in the stamping is visible through the thin chrome, so they look cheap. Overall I would compare the quality of these with a $25 set of valve covers from a chain auto parts store.

Additionally, and more importantly, there is no baffle below the oil fill holes, so these will require modification just to function as well as an OEM valve cover would. I know from experience that FE engines without these baffles will suck oil through the PCV and usually leak from the oil fill as well. Your web site should clearly state that these have no baffles as this is a major issue.

I do not have time with this engine build to return these covers, so I will be modifying them and running them until I can acquire another set of better quality parts from another vendor--they are then going in the trash can.

Jason Engle


http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026>

To all that are not in the know. YES, the Pentroofs that
everyone sells, ARE from the FAR EAST. There are none made here
in the US.

The only way to assure yourself of a good set of covers, is
to buy a set, and then eat the bullit, send them out to be stripped
and professionally chromed, at your local chrome shop.

I've done several sets that way, it's the only way to assure
that they don't flake and rust.

you could spot weld factory baffles in before doing so!

------------------------------------------
FE's, Thunderbolts and single malt scotch.

Took my chrome pentroofs to a plater in town. He said they had too much heat applied on the belt when originally chromed, would be about $200/each to redo. I declined, sold the chromes. and bought BT covers instead.

66 Fairlane GT Silver Blue "BRUTE" Genesis 496/C4
66 Fairlane GT Nightmist Blue 428/TKO600
66 F250 Camper Special Rangoon Red 428/4-speed
2000 Lincoln LS Sport 5-speed

I have a set that I have used on my car for 2 years with no rust, chrome flaking off or oil consumption problems from no baffles.They are no baffles but these covers are high enough that the rockers do not run close like they would on a standard set of valve covers.I think they will work for you.

69 R code Mustang coupe 68 1/2 R code Mustang coupe 70 ram air Drag Pack Cougar 67 505 F.A.S.T legal Fairlane

I may try them with no mods to start out then.

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

I set them on the engine after i got to the shop today and, as noted by one astute user of these VCs, the holes are much further above the valvetrain than stock ones are and he has experienced no oil consumption problems on his car.

As shown earlier, I wrote an email to Branda about how I felt about the quality of these parts. Got a call from them this am from guy named Terry who was nice, understanding and offered to let me return them, etc. He also noted that they should put a note in the catalog about these not being baffled. I thanked him, but still criticized the quality of them for the money. In the end, I feel like I received a subpar product, but to their credit, quite good customer service.

It looks like the PCV grommet I have fits these covers and I have a breather for the other side, so I am going with this setup just because it will get me running. I am going to try running it without baffles and I will report back about how I do. Thanks for your support and ideas>)

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

I had a set of those POS covers. I tried raised tubes, internal baffles in the tube, the rubber grommet with the restricted end. They always sucked or pucked oil. Send them back, Branda should be ashamed selling that crap.

I sure would be pissed if they didn't work right and it was too late to return them...

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

I have two sets of the same covers. I didn't have a problem with oil puking thru the breathers until I installed another set of Ed Heads and changed to the PumpBuilder Stands and ARP Studs. I didn't know about restricting the oil, it was everywhere. I bought another set of Branda VC's with no holes, I also bought Race Type screw in breathers and had 3" risers machined and cut holes in the VC's to match the diameter of the risers. Still had oil everywhere.

You will see my final solution below. It was expensive and looks neat but I need to drain the recovery can every so often.

But I am going to make damn sure the oil is restricted in the new heads for the 445 and am going to retry the screw in breathers with the risers. I can always go back to the plumbing.

Keep a good coat of wax on the VC's and you won't have any rust issues. Good Luck Jason. ww









1965 Galaxie 500XL 445ci Stroker (soon) C-6
1965 Galaxie 500XL 390ci P-Code, 4-Speed
1965 Galaxie 500XL 289ci Cruse-O-Matic
2001 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L
2006 John Deer X320 Garden Tractor

I bought a set without the holes. They are rusting and the engine is still in the garage on a stand.

I know Branda only imports these. But as the largest distributor, you'd think he'd have some control of quality. I've had to chome polish mine so many times to remove rust, the pits look like a junk yard relic.

I guess my building is not as damp a storage mine look fine after 2 years.I only put a small amout of heat in my shop never warmer than 50 or less than 40

69 R code Mustang coupe 68 1/2 R code Mustang coupe 70 ram air Drag Pack Cougar 67 505 F.A.S.T legal Fairlane

I even am running the same repro hipo air cleaner you are...

Your solution is very inventive and looks great! I am using Doug's threaded oil restrictors in my Ed heads, so I am hoping that I don't have too much oil up top. Thanks for the note on your experience--your car always motivates me when I see it.

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9026

In some posts guys have taken factory valve covers and had them chromed or re-chromed by good shops. I guess that falls under the guise of "Custom Chroming". The minimum price I've seen/heard about is around $200. These are usually Triple plated copper, nickle, chrome.

The point is, most of the China repo parts are done on an assembly line, piece work basis. If its shiney, it sells.

You are right, if you buy the crap in cellophane at the local auto store on sale for $49.99, you pretty much get your money's worth... at $150.99 you have every right to expect at least a 1/2 way decent product.

I don't know the chrome shop situation in your area, but I'm thinking you would come out ahead if you found a good set of valve covers at the junk yard - then had them done right by a chrome shop that actually cares?

might offer the rubber gromets for those holes but it's just a WAG.
How about screwing the VCs with as a discharge point and installing some one way check valve PCV so they only breath in on the breathers and then drilling the manifold for a breather/oil filler going to a a road draft tube. JMHO but riding in a car with Crankcase gasses seeping out around the hood into the cowl vent intake or in vent/side windows sucks. Sustained smell driving for a while makes me sick.

Send those back to Branda and buy a set of Cobra Lemans or look around far a descent set of Cal Customs. I have had problems getting those repopped chrome covers to seal. The die cast covers not only look nice but will be far less likely to leak.