OLDS Harlard Sharp rockers clearance

[Cajun83HO]

I dug a little deeper on the Harland Sharp web and found they call for specific rockers for the Edelbrock heads. S5003. $385 a set. I was about to buy the 5001 which are for Iron Olds heads. As for the valve covers, I'll worry about them after I build the engine.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

Quote: Car is currently under the pile of snow we got tuesday. I'll see if i can get some pics later today.

Of the snow or valve covers? We don't see snow down here.🎃

If you ask really nice, maybe mother nature will bring some to you.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

Here are some pics, passenger side first. Both pics a plenty of clearance.
Plenty of room to remove stock valve cover for service. More room than on a 69 hurst/olds.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

Here are pics of the drivers side. Again plenty of clearance with the single diaphram booster.
This is a stock valve cover. Plenty of room for removal if necessary.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Is the A/C box identical between early and late G bodies? I am surprised there is that much room.

 

[Deadeyejedi80]

Is the A/C box identical between early and late G bodies? I am surprised there is that much room.

curious about this as well , my 80 cutlass with the 455 is much tighter than the pic above

 

[oldsmobile joe]

curious about this as well , my 80 cutlass with the 455 is much tighter than the pic above

I thought the a/c boxes were all the same.
I'm third owner and no accidents. At least not in that area.
Maybe gm maufacturing and assembly allowances came into play.
Remember, bbo engines are 1" taller and 1.5" wider than a sbo engine. So split the width on each valve cover. Each valve cover moves out 3/4".
If bbc and caddy motors fit, why can't a bbo?

 

[500/600]

A Caddy slides right in with no AC box cutting. The $400 valve covers on the other hand needed some work. There are large Harland Sharp roller rockers with plenty of room under there. A 455 Olds is slightly shorter and slightly narrower.

 

[500/600]

Excuse my sorry looking TIG welds

 

[rogue_ryder]

I have HS Rockers in C- Heads and I was able to get the stock valve covers to fit (sort of). You need Crower 86050S-16 Polylocks assuming you're running 7/16 rocker arm studs. I did not use a spacer or double gaskets just the Mahle thick rubber VC gaskets (Fel Pro has them too). While it did fit the baffle contacted the top of the polylock that contact amplified the valve train noise making my engine sound horrible. Just drill out the baffle where the Polylock makes contact and you should be fine. Initially I thought I messed up my valve lash somehow, and after relashing and still hearing the noise, I tossed on some stock height Mr. Gasket Chrome Valve Covers and voila the noise was gone and have been too busy to bother with modifying the baffles on my stockers.

You can see here how these PolyLocks don't protrude up too high:

When I bought these heads I had the chance at getting the 455 that went with it; and at the time passed because I was wrongly informed the 455 wouldn't fit with the condenser installed. Could've saved myself a ton of time and $$$$.