Any certain valve cover fit the P51 better than others?

Looking to see what valve cover will fit the P51 head without having to grind too much.

How short can one be and still clear a stud girdle?

Using a "BeeHive" valve spring on the exhaust side will cure all the fitment problems with most of the valve covers out there.

It is the end exhaust valve spring retainer which causes the problems with interference.

Do the sheetmetal ones offer more clearance, or would I need to dimple those?

Are the FRPP ones the shortest I can go with?

Like Randy said, it is the end exhaust valve spring and retainer that causes the problem,,,,on both the P-51 heads and the SCJ heads. The beehive springs are a viable option, however with the big valve springs I have had to grind for clearance on the Ford Racing valve covers on Randy Moore's P-51, Bobby Shrewsberry's P-51, Dave Freelander's P-51 (he just forgot), my SCJ headed engine and I don't know how many others. Now then having said that, you are going to have to grind for clearance on just about any valve cover you use, including Blue Thunder, Price Motorsports (a bunch), and TFS I think. You will need the tall valve covers to clear the stud girdle.

Hope this helps,

Charlie

Are sheetmetal covers an alternative to the grinding on cast covers?

looks like i'll be grinding on my valve covers..............

The longer the installed height is, the worst the problem gets. I had to grind on mine. One I had to weld, the other was OK.
Cheers Colin.
P.S They are Ford Racing, tall cast ones.

schmitty wrote:

jbozzelle wrote:Are sheetmetal covers an alternative to the grinding on cast covers?

I would think that a set like I have would not be an issue.

I've got a new set like that sitting in my dining room. They wouldn't mind a new home......

Mike Barker(Goin Postal) has these spacers on his engine.They are cheaper than a new set of covers and have a nice touch .imo.

From the ones I have tried, the "Australian Muscle Parts" sheet metal prototype covers fit better than most.
I know Mike Fielder did a lot of investigation before he started having them mass made.

www.australianmuscleparts.com.au

bbf-falcon wrote:Mike Barker(Goin Postal) has these spacers on his engine.They are cheaper than a new set of covers and have a nice touch .imo.

on my super cj's and they clear with stock valve covers I'd post a pic but don't know how on this forum

57custom,

Keep in mind, he (John) asked about clearance with stud girdles. Are you running stud girdles?

Charlie