Rover V8 alloy rocker covers

jrcast · Post by **jrcast** » Thu May 16, 2013 9:24 pm

Hi all, I hope it's ok for me to post this here.
I make cast alloy rocker covers and I'll be starting to make patterns for covers for the Rover V8 next week.
I will be making the patterns using the standard alloy rocker covers(the squared off edge type ones with the space in the middle for a badge) and a set of heads to measure from and looking at the original covers and I have some questions about them.
Each cover has a breather pipe, are both needed and does the position of them matter? could they be moved to the end of the cover?
The covers I got have an oil filler extension, is this needed? or would they be ok without that?
The baffles inside, I don't like putting baffles in my covers as I don't want someone spending a fortune building an engine and a baffle falls off onto the valvegear when the engine is on the redline. Will they be ok without baffles?
Thanks in advance for any advice given, it'll be much appreciated.
John

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Thu May 16, 2013 10:49 pm

Out of interest, why are you making covers the same as the originals?

jrcast · Post by **jrcast** » Fri May 17, 2013 7:01 am

Hi, they won't be the same as the original, I just use the originals to get measurements from, they'll be completely different.
Another question too. The top part of the cover with the fins is slanted on the ones I have, is there any reason the cover can't have all the sides the same height when looked at end on and having the top parallel to the base?
Is there any clearance problems with rockers fouling the original cover when using a high lift cam?

jeboa · Post by **jeboa** » Fri May 17, 2013 1:18 pm

I think they're slanted, so that when you put them on the engine - they are parallel - i.e. it's a V so if they were made as you suggest, the tops would be at the similar angle as the V (the heads actually lower this angle - but they'd still be on the tilt).

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Fri May 17, 2013 1:54 pm

If you dont have the uneven sides the tops wont be flat when fitted. Hence nowhere to put the mug of tea when working on it

What changes are you making to the appearance? The originals are a bit boring to look at eh?

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Fri May 17, 2013 2:45 pm

Jrcast -

If I may add my two-pence worth here. Normal rocker covers are ten a penny; however, there doesn't seem to be many options for people using large roller rockers, apart from Chevy/Ford covers with an adaptor plate or various other special items from JE or the like that occasionally crop up on Ebay - not that I'm aware of anyway.

Making your covers taller than standard to fit larger valve gear will also appeal to that market.

Adam

Blown v8 · Post by **Blown v8** » Fri May 17, 2013 2:52 pm

Mine are larger DJE covers to fit my roller rockers

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No adapters needed

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri May 17, 2013 6:07 pm

To answer the questions - on most engines, the carbs sit pretty close to the top of the covers, so if you raised the covers, the carbs wouldn't fit. Same is true for factory fuel injection systems of all descriptions (EFi, GEMS, Thor)

The oil filler extension is just screwed in, it's not part of the casting.

The breather systems vary wildly!, different covers have different holes / drillings.

Chris.

Post by **katanaman** » Fri May 17, 2013 10:12 pm

Baffles are desirable or the oil blows out the breathers.

jrcast · Post by **jrcast** » Fri May 17, 2013 11:04 pm

Thanks for the replies.
Looks like I might have to make 2 types, one the same height as the originals to fit standard engines and a taller one for modified engines, anyone know how much taller they would need to be?
I'll have to see what I can do about baffles, I might try to cast them into the cover for peace of mind.
Other than for resting your cuppa ( remember the cover is basically a big heatsink, so drink quick

) is there any other reason for the shape? I do covers for the Ford V6s and do them with the sides all the same height, I think it looks better as it's facing you when you're looking at them from the side of the car.
Do they all need a breather in each cover?
Heres a pic of the ones I do for the Ford 3.0 V6 to give you an idea of the design I'll do on them.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sat May 18, 2013 7:32 am

I recommend getting along to your local drag strip to look at the various covers and inlet systems that exist today. And maybe your local Land Rover show too.

Do that before committing to tooling!

Chris.

jrcast · Post by **jrcast** » Sat May 18, 2013 11:03 pm

Unfortunately I live in Ireland and theres no drag racing here and due to our road tax (£1500 per year for a 3.5 ) a 2.0 is considered a big engine so theres not really any more "modern" V8s around. You only get cheap road tax for over 30 years old and most of those are unmodified so theres not really much variety of v8s here, thats why I came on here to get some info.

JSF55 · Post by **JSF55** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:44 am

The offenhauser type ones are quite rare and popular
http://www.britishv8.org/mg/robertmilner.htm

jrv8 · Post by **jrv8** » Sun May 19, 2013 9:30 am

jrcast wrote:theres not really much variety of v8s here.

Hi ,
You mustn't get out much !! There's quite a number of V8 engined vehicles in Ireland, both modified and standard.

Jim

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:41 pm

My personal favourite and going on mine when I get around to importing a set. The DJE type would be great without the DJE .

JSF55 wrote:The offenhauser type ones are quite rare and popular
http://www.britishv8.org/mg/robertmilner.htm