A great Mopar mystery (at least to me)

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68Dartdude

68Dartdude

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So I wanted to swap out my stock small block LA engine valve covers. The finned ones I had lying around, wouldn't fit under the power brake unit in my 62 Lancer (see virtually no room anywhere). It's an 8" unit. BTW, the breather holes on those are drivers side front, passenger side rear.

After and extensive search, I saw a pair of Spectre low rider covers that appeared to fit. I talked to the tech and he assured me the photo was a precise representation of the part. Part ordered, part received, uh it was a mirrored photo. It appears that all finned covers have breather holes, passenger side rear, drivers side front. All short, chrome covers have drivers side rear, passenger side front breather holes. I am at a mental impasse, causing more of a brain drain than I'm willing to invest.

Long story longer, I installed a set of chrome shorts and finally found a 90 degree PCV to fit under the power brake unit. Problem is although it works with engine not running, I wish to drive the car. With engine running above idle, the pressure tips out the PCV valve. It wasn't an exact fit, so I wrapped tape around it and such. PCV into rubber thingy (see brain drain), into valve cover. A good look, but not highly functional. Like some women I've dated.

So I'm hoping to see or at least hear the burning bush, ah burn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Actually maybe those goofy looking stock ones, don't look that goofy after all.

Thanks in advance.
 
68Dartdude said:
So I wanted to swap out my stock small block LA engine valve covers. The finned ones I had lying around, wouldn't fit under the power brake unit in my 62 Lancer (see virtually no room anywhere). It's an 8" unit. BTW, the breather holes on those are drivers side front, passenger side rear.

After and extensive search, I saw a pair of Spectre low rider covers that appeared to fit. I talked to the tech and he assured me the photo was a precise representation of the part. Part ordered, part received, uh it was a mirrored photo. It appears that all finned covers have breather holes, passenger side rear, drivers side front. All short, chrome covers have drivers side rear, passenger side front breather holes. I am at a mental impasse, causing more of a brain drain than I'm willing to invest.

Long story longer, I installed a set of chrome shorts and finally found a 90 degree PCV to fit under the power brake unit. Problem is although it works with engine not running, I wish to drive the car. With engine running above idle, the pressure tips out the PCV valve. It wasn't an exact fit, so I wrapped tape around it and such. PCV into rubber thingy (see brain drain), into valve cover. A good look, but not highly functional. Like some women I've dated.

So I'm hoping to see or at least hear the burning bush, ah burn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Actually maybe those goofy looking stock ones, don't look that goofy after all.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing we don't want to see a picture of the Rube Goldberg.:lol:
 
Maybe attack your problem from a different angle. Since '62s weren't designed with a smallblock in mind and space is critical, maybe you could just use the offset master cylinder adapter (Mopar Performance #P5249717) to move the booster/master away from the valve cover, then run any valve cover you want.
 
Photos........................might.......................be ....................helpful...............
 
are you using the bracket that raises the power booster?
 
Good idea on the adapter piece. Not sure what direction it would move the unit into.
So here are a few pics. Not much room to go up, or forward. I may move battery/housing a few inches forward away from exhaust manifold. Previous someone looks to have installed a bracket.

Lancer3.JPG


Lancer5.JPG


Lancer4.JPG
 
I don't currently have any cars with the adapter on them, so I can't say for sure how far the master/booster would get moved over. But if memory serves me (no guarantees there!) it's about an inch- inch and a half... towards the fender. *Looks* like you'll have room. Maybe someone on here can give you a definitive measurement.
 
I know this is a pain but you may want to get some original valve covers with the breather and the pcv in the middle of the valve cover. Given the car you might try some old power pak valve covers with the finned inserts. The older ones with the two "stove pipes" might still be too high, but the newer ones with a 'modern' pcv grommet should work fine.
 
Doesn't really need the PB, but it came with it. Not seeing the Direct Connection ones with part number. Seeing ones that are consistent with no goes. Now

Saw a potential fit today from a one off company, emailed them. We'll see.
Have the original I could reinstall to go with the chrome one. A new look.
 
68Dartdude said:
So I wanted to swap out my stock small block LA engine valve covers. The finned ones I had lying around, wouldn't fit under the power brake unit in my 62 Lancer (see virtually no room anywhere). It's an 8" unit. BTW, the breather holes on those are drivers side front, passenger side rear.

After and extensive search, I saw a pair of Spectre low rider covers that appeared to fit. I talked to the tech and he assured me the photo was a precise representation of the part. Part ordered, part received, uh it was a mirrored photo. It appears that all finned covers have breather holes, passenger side rear, drivers side front. All short, chrome covers have drivers side rear, passenger side front breather holes. I am at a mental impasse, causing more of a brain drain than I'm willing to invest.

Long story longer, I installed a set of chrome shorts and finally found a 90 degree PCV to fit under the power brake unit. Problem is although it works with engine not running, I wish to drive the car. With engine running above idle, the pressure tips out the PCV valve. It wasn't an exact fit, so I wrapped tape around it and such. PCV into rubber thingy (see brain drain), into valve cover. A good look, but not highly functional. Like some women I've dated.

So I'm hoping to see or at least hear the burning bush, ah burn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Actually maybe those goofy looking stock ones, don't look that goofy after all.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I dont understand , why didnt u just switch sides ?
 
69_340_GTS said:
I think what he means is that both valve covers are identical, so swapping sides doesn't change anything.
Click to expand...
Yep that's it. SB valve covers have no right or left but they do have a top and bottom. Switching results in the same configuration - just sign me captain obvious.
 
Some good suggestions here. Thanks. So the thing with finned covers like my Mopar Performance style (black) is they are too tall to insert past the power brake unit since it sits so close to the valve cover and rockers when exposed. Yes can go back to stock but since I purchased two chrome replacement units (3 1/4") tall, I would like to use both, not one. Drivers side does get past PB unit but PCV issue above. May just need to fit the correct super tight PCV, grommet, into valve cover fit.
 
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