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Knuckled Valve Covers

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by The Brudwich, Jul 8, 2007.

  1. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    I was curious if anyone has knuckled their valve covers. After seeing Evel's knuckled Cadillac valve covers, I want to stick with the stock valve covers and knuckle them on my Cadillac to clear adjustable rocker arms. These are the questions I have:

    -Is it easier/better hammer out? or to just cut and weld some in?

    -Does anyone have any pictures of knuckled valve covers? Post Them!

    The only pics I could find were Evel's Cadillac valve covers and Olds 371 valve covers on pg. 54 in TRJ #30
     

    Attached Files:

  2. To me it looks like it would be easier to weld them in. I do like the way it looks and maybe somebody who has done it before can help so here is a BTTT
     
  3. Evel
    Joined: Jun 25, 2002
    Posts: 9,038

    Evel
    Member
    1. 60s Show Rods

    Mine were hand made...When I got them somone had hammered the "Knuckels" in I don't how...But after they were polished and chromed they came out better than I thought...

    Ryan mentioned that he saw a pair on a caddy that had Spoons welded in
    to make the Knuckels that might be easier to do...I hope to run Stude rockers on the caddy soon so the cover will actually serve a purpose...:D
     
  4. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    Luke D-church suggested the spoon idea the other night. It definitely solves my concern of getting each knuckle identical. I guess I'll have to start stealing silverware when I go out to eat in order to find the perfect knuckle.
     

  5. robster
    Joined: Jan 11, 2005
    Posts: 198

    robster
    Member

    Attached Files:

  6. kustombuilder
    Joined: Sep 18, 2002
    Posts: 7,750

    kustombuilder
    Member
    from Novi, MI

    personaly i think it would be better to hammer em in but i suppose either way is acceptable. guess it depends where your skills are at.
     
  7. HotRodHon
    Joined: Jun 29, 2004
    Posts: 1,424

    HotRodHon
    Member

    How about making a die set up. (similar to a set used for punching louvers) that way they would all be identical.
    If the valve cover is thin, you could "punch" them in a vise or with vise grips.
    Craig :cool:
     
  8. SUHRsc
    Joined: Sep 27, 2005
    Posts: 5,093

    SUHRsc
    Member

    hammering them in might not be that hard
    carve a wooden form into opposite of the shape you'd like...or even a steel form really would work
    then clamp that on the outside and just hammer the metal into the void
    go slow and it should come out nice...the flange on the cover should work as a guide to keep them all in line

    good luck in any case
    Zach
     
  9. kustombuilder
    Joined: Sep 18, 2002
    Posts: 7,750

    kustombuilder
    Member
    from Novi, MI

    that is exactly what i had in my mind. in fact i've been sitting here trying to think of what valve covers i have layin around i cold do this to just for shits and grins. :D
     
  10. You could just get a set of Hildebrant that already have them.



    CBB
     

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  11. junkcad
    Joined: Jun 16, 2006
    Posts: 601

    junkcad
    Member
    from nashville

    sorry o/t question ,whats a set of those caddy valve covers go for ?
     
  12. s.r.i.
    Joined: Aug 6, 2005
    Posts: 1,078

    s.r.i.
    Member
    from Hell

    Harbor Frieght (yea,yea, I know) has a dimpling kit they sell for only $40 that might work. Has a dimple block and the dimpler.
     
  13. Durod
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
    Posts: 809

    Durod
    Member
    from DFW, Tx

    those are seriously some of tha baddest cadi motors ive seen yet..
     
  14. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    Thanks for all the ideas! I'm gonna try both methods (welding spoons and hammer/die) and see which one turns out better. I'll definitely post a knuckled valve cover tech once I finish.
     
  15. Ken Carvalho
    Joined: Dec 22, 2004
    Posts: 1,611

    Ken Carvalho
    Member

    HOLY KRAP!!! Those are beatiful!!! are they caddy?? Could/would they fit SBC??? Maybe with an adapter?? Man I just got completely stoked on those!! NEVER seen them before!!!!!
     
  16. I'm drooling right now.

    I'm building my 331 soon. Taking notes.
     
  17. Those are for an early Cadillac motor, they do not fit a small block chevy . But they do make a set for a Small block chevy ( no knuckles of course).

    Here is a picture of them,


    CBB
     

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  18. Ken Carvalho
    Joined: Dec 22, 2004
    Posts: 1,611

    Ken Carvalho
    Member

    Damn! even with out the knuckles they are gorgeous, but WITH the knuckles the are BEAUTIFUL!!! I gotta look into those!! Thanks man...Ken
     
  19. Got mine right here - 25 pc. Doming Block & Punch Set - has sizes from 2.3 mm (about 1/10") to 25 mm (about 1"). The block has the female "recess" machined in but the block itself has sharp outer edges - you would have to be careful not to transfer these edges into the valve cover when hammering. I guess you could relieve the edges before using, maybe round them over with a grinder...

    Steve
     

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