Hot Rods WTH? olds valve covers on a Stewedbaker?

currently there are a pair of aluminum valve covers on Fleabay for a '49-'56 olds and the seller claims they can be used on a Studebaker.....for 2K. is this true/possible? I want to dress up my Stewed and this could help my search if I could find a set realistically price. Advise puleez!

 

Always thought the Studie was more like the early Caddy than the Olds, but maybe......

So, who is going to spend 2 grand to put Olds valve covers on a Stude anyway?..

 

Ive had early block letter Weiand valve covers for Olds and they had a couple of other undrilled bosses for Studebaker...

 

Yeah,thats the seller who wants 3.5K for Mercury M 335 valve covers.
He"s a bit overpriced and probably not from this planet.

Oldmics

 

I'm interested in the INTERCHANGE,not $2K valve covers. information is priceless.

 

I have a pair of early Offys for '49-'56 Olds...Glad to find out they're worth so much!
Might need a headstone one o' these days...

 

I have an extra set of valve covers off my 324 Olds engine. Let me know if you would like to try them........maybe we can finally get a correct answer. shoot me a PM if you are interested

 

Here is the valve cover on my 259 stude V8.
Looks like the mounting bolts won't line up to me.

 

Tommy posted on some dual fit covers I think. Same casting and gasket pattern, but the company had 2 sets of bolthole bosses cast onto the top, but only drilled for one motor. The other bosses were not drilled

Tommy said if you filled in the wrong drilled holes with chrome acorns, then you drill out the other pattern for Stude

 

If the '49-'56 Olds fit Studebaker, then the '57 and later might also fit.

324 valve covers won't fit a 371 or 394, because the later rockers hit the end of the valve cover-at least on the aluminum covers I tried. But later valve covers might fit a 324.

 

If I remember correctly weiand had dual pattern covers

 

Man that is a is pretty damn cool motor!

 

From 1952 catalog...

And some my son sold a few years back.

 

Yep, the casting, gasket and base size are the same on the Weiand covers for Early Olds and Studebaker. Application just depends on final machining (bolt holes).

 

I tried a set of Offenhauser Olds valvecovers on my Stude and they did not clear the rockers.

 

thanks man, it's gonna sound sweet!

 

Wow, at those prices I'm glad my engine doesn't require valve covers.

 

If you are looking for aluminum valve covers...why don't you contact Studebaker part vendors!
Some might have them from when Lionel Stone was making them.

Sent from my STV100-1 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

It was the Offenhauser valve covers that I discovered would fit the 324, but not the 371 because of the rockers on the very end. They came so close to fitting, I was tempted to take a grinder to the inside of the covers. I think the OEM steel covers would interchange. If the Weiand covers were a slightly different shape, they might fit.

Here's the only pic I could find of the Offy valve covers on my 324.

 

I have a pair of Weiand Rocker covers that have been drilled for Olds but I have tried them on a friends Stude & they are a perfect fit & clear the rockers. Don't think they were worth what this guy is asking though .

 

my 324 with Offenhauser valve covers

 

Very simple, in addition to the stud "spread"...I believe all of the "other" engines, the studs will go thru the center of the rocker covers (upper to lower), while the Stude studs are offset to the lower portion of center. So...even if the stud "spread" is the same, the offset top to bottom will not let any fit without some welding and grinding/mill work.

Mike

 

Back in 1956 the trick was to use Stude rocker arms which were adjustable on my 324 in Olds engine. This allowed collapsing the lifters for higher rpm. I ran the Stude valve covers to clear the rockers. Another advantage was to lie about the displacement at the drags as the Stude was 259 cu in which put me in a lower class. That didn't help since my rival just bought a new Corvette engine. Earlier shot with Olds Covers. Corvette roadster is pink in background.
dechrome

 

Cool trick! My 55 always had ticking lifters.