Well i installed my head studs and head with gasket today and i get it all TQed down to 96 pounds and i go to put my valve covers on and they dont fit. I cant grind the stud because the stud sits level with the bolt. So my only options are to either grind the valve covers or install breathers on each cover with a hole big enough that the stud fits into it and still be functionsl. anybody else have this problem????

rick

 

Pretty sure you will have to grind the inside ribs on the valve covers (I had to on my 94 and i still have to tweak to get a few to seal up right). If all the studs are flush with the top of the nut your going to have to grind the inside of the valve cover down.

 

has anybody even heard of the filter idea. I have seen them on pulling truck but i dont know if thats what they are for.

 

I've seen a few pics in the members photo area. But it just looks tacky to me. JMHO

 

I had to grind mine but not a big deal.

 

here is another less than perfect way to handle it...use toothpaste or grease on the top of the stud, put the cover on to mark where the stud is. then use a large rounded punch and hammer to put a dent in the valve cover from the inside.

like i said its a little redneck, but its just another of the ways ive seen some guys do it.

 

Try bottom tapping the threaded holes.
I know if I would have just bottom tapped my 24V I would have never had to grind the rocker housing for the stud clearances.

 

Well said.

Not many run a tap through the holes to make sure they are completely clean at the bottom.

The LONG Q-Tips work great to help get grime and oil out of the bottom of the bolt holes.

 

yea i had zero clearance issues on my 24v with bottom tapping. but he said the nut is even with the top of the stud, so it cant go down any further. ive heard of this being an issue with the 12v. i guess they need taller valve covers.

 

If you didn't bottom tap those holes you're probably definitely having some clearance issues. Bad to say it but you may have to go back over it again.

 

this has nothing to do with bottom tapping the holes. in the original post he said he couldnt grind the top of the stud off because it sits level with the bolt (nut). therefore bottom tapping the holes wont do anything for his problem. the entire nut is hitting the valve cover.

 

bgilbert had to do this to his 1st gen to get the valve covers on with the studs

 

when I installed mine I had to mill 2 thousands off the rocker pedistal. this was per the ARP instructions. it is an updated kit arp came out with so there werent anymore clearance issues. the tower bolts are also shorter in the new kit. maybe you got some old stock someone had on a shelf and you will have do grind on the 'ol valve covers....