460 Valve Cover Questions

Bannon · #1 (**permalink**) 12-29-2002, 04:31 PM

I received a set of "COBRA" Valve covers for Christmas. They were the ones that Holman Moody sells which are cast alluminum and simply say "COBRA" on them. They appear to be a little short. Do I need to use spacers on them to clear the roller rockers on the FMS 460 crate motor? (I don't have the car yet so I can't test fit them myself)
I really like the look of the Ford Motorsport Aluminum "COBRA" valve covers that are available for the 351w. FMS does not make them for the 460 and I have only seen one set that look similiar. They were on a 514 sitting in the shop at Olthoff Racing. Bob stated that they were no longer made due to (You guessed it) licensing issues.

Does anyone know who made the ones I saw in the shop?
Does anyone have a picture of the ones I have that they have mounted with spacers? I plan on painting these black but I am concerned at how they will look with the spacers on. Will they just look pieced together?

Thanks for your help.

JB

SFfiredog · #2 (**permalink**) 12-29-2002, 08:32 PM

The valve covers you have were cast by Blue Thunder. They will clear roller rockers without using spacers.
--Mike

jdean · #3 (**permalink**) 12-29-2002, 09:21 PM

The Tony Branda website still appears to have 460 covers that say "Cobra" on them. Cost is about $235.

Dior55 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2002, 05:54 AM

I recently bought the valve covers that Tony Branda carries with the "Cobra 460" embossed on them. I thought they looked very short for my 460 FMS crate engine, especially when compared to the very high FMS covers that came with my engine back in 1999.
Turns out they fit fine, without any need for spacers. They look super too.

PS, I sold my old valve covers on Ebay. They were not in the greatest shape, and my pictures showed that they needed a good polishing. Ford Racing still lists the covers new. The only difference with my covers was that they said "Ford Motorsport" instead of "Ford Racing". There was a bidding war going on over these covers, and I even received about six emails from guys just asking me "how much" I wanted to take the covers off the auction and sell them directly. I ended up selling these used covers for about $100 more than what a new set would cost. Does anyone know why?

Bannon · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2002, 08:33 AM

Thanks guys!
I believe that the covers I have are the same ones sold by Branda. Although mine are the version that just say "COBRA" on them.
Dior55 I might want to get the email addresses of some of those folks who didn't quite make the cut. I plan on selling mine too. I doubt that the FMS covers will be on mine 24 hours after I receive it. (Late March/early April)

Now for the other question should I attempt to pain them with hightemp paint or have them powder coated black. (Just the recessed portions obviously.)

Thanks again,

JB

SFfiredog · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2002, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dior55

PS, I sold my old valve covers on Ebay. They were not in the greatest shape, and my pictures showed that they needed a good polishing. Ford Racing still lists the covers new. The only difference with my covers was that they said "Ford Motorsport" instead of "Ford Racing". There was a bidding war going on over these covers, and I even received about six emails from guys just asking me "how much" I wanted to take the covers off the auction and sell them directly. I ended up selling these used covers for about $100 more than what a new set would cost. Does anyone know why? [/b]

Ford stopped making the "Ford Motorsport" valve covers when they changed their name to Ford Racing. I guess they'll be collector's items one day. I have a set of small block and big block "Motorsport" valve covers and guys drool when they see them!

sambrozy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2002, 11:10 AM

I'm surprised that the Ford Motorsport valve covers are worth much.

I guess I should put mine on e-bay.

Stan

Dior55 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-31-2002, 07:25 PM

I'm telling you guys, it was an unbelievable auction. I thought I might stop the auction at one point and just hold on to the suckers for a few years. These babies needed help! The guy who won them was very happy with the purchase, gave me great feedback on ebay and even emailed me to thank me! Huh?

Bannon, I think the secret is having the covers that say "Ford Motorsport SVO" instead of "Ford Racing". I guess "collectors" are looking for this crap as it's no longer being made. Go figure!

MAXVELO · #9 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 09:06 AM

MY CRATE MOTOR HAS A SET OF FORD MOTORSPORT SVO. IF ANYONE HAS A SET OF VALVE COVERS THAT SAY COBRA 514 ILL TRADE YOU!!!!

Jim Coleman · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 06:34 AM

I'm looking for a set of "short" valve covers for my 460.

Bought the Ford Racing aluminum ones, and they wouldn't clear my master cylinder, I too sold them on Ebay.

I currently have Edelbrock chromed ones, and wanted Cobra or aluminum valve covers.

Jim

jdean · #11 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 05:02 PM

I like the "fabricated" look.

www.billetfab.com

www.uniquealuminumproducts.com/bbford.htm

Jim Coleman · #12 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 06:14 PM

Thanks,

I really like the Cobra style, or the ribbed aluminum look.

I don't have a Cobra, I have a '62 ProStreet Falcon --
so anything will really work (if it's affordable!)

Jim