426 Hemi Valve cover clearances

[Topcat]

I ended up having a friend stretch and re form and re weld the rubbing area inside the valve covers.
Now the Valve spring edge on top inside the valve cover edges clear from rubbing.

Clearances inside the 426 Hemi valve covers are dangerously close.
 
The issue is:
If you put a bigger cam in a Hemi; chances are the valve springs will be a bigger diameter than what OEM one's were since they're a higher rate spring load.
 
Most machinists have no idea to the fact that 426 Hemi's have very tight clearance inside the OEM valve covers.

Also...Valve spring height needs to be specifically addressed to the head machinist to avoid any issues.
That also can be the culprit. 
 
That means you must use a thick gasket.
And/Or: an after market valve covers.
And/Or: modify your OEM's by stretching out where they tend to rub.

OEM valve covers can be modified using heat and dolly the rub area out.
0'ing out the valve cover bolt holes to shift valve cover down is not a good idea. 

[brads70]

Do you have any pictures?

[Topcat]

[brads70]

Wow. Good catch, I'll bet that made a funny sound?  The last picture looks like it's cracked? If it was die cast aluminum maybe but being steel it must be dirt or something?

[Oldschool]

Hemi valve cover clearances can be tricky to tame. Wedge style engines can overcome rocker/spring/retainer clearance issues sometimes by simply using a much thicker gasket which will move the valve cover further away from the head. It doesn't work that way on the Hemis...    

[Topcat]

Wow. Good catch, I'll bet that made a funny sound?  The last picture looks like it's cracked? If it was die cast aluminum maybe but being steel it must be dirt or something?

As the rubbing went on longer, it became louder.

Then one day, I could see the side of the valve cover moving. Good Gawd almighty!   
I had exhaust leaks drowning out the sound of the rubbing didn't help either.

All that behind me now. 

[roadman5312]

Based on this picture should I be looking for any problems using stock valve covers ?

[Oldschool]

Hard to tell clearances just by looking at a picture...  I will say it shore is purdy....   

[Oldschool]

Here is a pic of what is under the valve covers of my car. Not a very good pic due to poor lighting.  I am running Indy heads and Indy roller rocker gear, along with their valve covers. I know the spark plug tubes are longer than stock, so I assume the valve covers are a little taller then stock. I have never set them side-by-side with stock valve covers to check though... 

[Topcat]

Based on this picture should I be looking for any problems using stock valve covers ?

Beehive valve springs will get you clearance.   

[roadman5312]

Beehive valve springs will get you clearance.   

                  Yea I looked at the springs thinking thats what they might be.  Guess I'm in the clear.