Thread: 2 valve cover gasgets on a 392 Hemi to clear adjustable rockers???

Tweet

Hello Everyone, I found some original Hemi Fire Power Valve covers {for my 392 Hemi}, the only thing is they aren't the ones with 'dimples' in them for adjustable rockers {which I have}. The guy selling them said I could just use 2 valve cover gasgets & it'd work fine. But then, he was selling them!!! Is this true??? Thanks a bunch, Bill

If you haven't seen the dimples in the early Hemi valve covers, they are actually pretty large and I believe you're running a bigger cam than stock to boot.

Basically I think it will take a good deal more than just 2 gaskets.

I just went out to the shop and tried the two valve cover gaskets on my 392 Hemi with adjustable rockers. They do in fact hit. So there are a couple of things you can do. One would be to find a set of industral Hemi valve covers, those are the ones that came with adjustable rockers, and have them chromed. Two you could run some of the after market Cast Aluminum covers like those from Hot Heads, They will clear the rockers. Or three you could dimple the set you have. Its not such a big deal really i did this on a set of chysler covers, took a little practice on sheet medal to get it right but not to bad at all. here's a set of home dimpled covers and you can use this picture as a guide for your dimples. They look pretty good too.

Roland

I also have another picture of home dimpled Hemi Valve covers. These are of the Desoto Hemi in my 49 Ford F1 ( No Desoto came with these covers, as there were no Industral Desoto engines)

Roland

Did ya make some sort of die set to do those ????

Very nice work Hombre. I would have loved to have to have found some affordable adjustable rockers when I did my HEMIs, but stock rockers and adjustable pushrods do have some advantages.

Thank you Mike & Hombre.... Hombre, Beautiful! I have a set on there now from Hot Heads, I wanted to get a little less of the custom look. you are a true craftsman! It would take me a 100 years to get that down!
Mike, the lift on my cam is .597 intake & .578 exhaust {total lift}.... With this lift do you think the rockers would clear with 2 gaskets??? THANKS again! Bill

Thanks Guys, I did make a die for dimpling those covers. Was easy to make too, simple used my grinder to carve the profile in some billet aluminum, and then a buffing wheel to get it smooth. Used a torch to heat the cover just in the spot I wanted to move the metal in, and used an arbor press to do the hard work. I am also pleased with the way they came out.

RS

when i worked for bucky austin helping restore some of his dragsters, we had this same problem, however this motor was equipped with a set of old skool alluminum rocker stands with stock rockers and adjustable pushrods, real different stuff for sure, we had the chrome industrial valve covers and had to run 2 gaskets to clear the stands/rockers.

the car was jerry ruths candy striper,
heres a few shots, notice the dimples, the last pics shows the same rocker stand/arm setup as the ruth car, with big lashin the valves on his car.