Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models > Drivetrain
Original 65-66 HP chrome valve covers or wrong gaskets?
21.04:
I have two pairs of HP chrome valve covers. I bought a prepro cork gasket kit with black rubber from NPD to use for one of the pairs. I did a quick visual to see how well the NPD gasket lined up with the valve covers and just noticed that the outside tabs are different on my two examples. Is this typical of OEM 65-66 HP valve covers? Was there a common tab location on all OEM HP chrome covers or was there a variation? I've attached a photo of the same side valve cover facing each other to show the difference in tan location. Again, the outside tabs are the only two that are different. Obviously, the new gasket kit from NPD only fits the tabs properly on one set of valve covers I have. Also noticed one pair of valve covers have 5 17 stamped on an each piece on the inside, whereas the other pair has no stampings. Do these covers appear to be OEM or do I need another type gasket for the different tabs or need to cut the tabs and re-glue them in the needed positions?
Bob Gaines:
--- Quote from: 21.04 on November 10, 2023, 04:56:58 PM ---I have two pairs of HP chrome valve covers. I bought a prepro cork gasket kit with black rubber from NPD to use for one of the pairs. I did a quick visual to see how well the NPD gasket lined up with the valve covers and just noticed that the outside tabs are different on my two examples. Is this typical of OEM 65-66 HP valve covers? Was there a common tab location on all OEM HP chrome covers or was there a variation? I've attached a photo of the same side valve cover facing each other to show the difference in tan location. Again, the outside tabs are the only two that are different. Obviously, the new gasket kit from NPD only fits the tabs properly on one set of valve covers I have. Also noticed one pair of valve covers have 5 17 stamped on an each piece on the inside, whereas the other pair has no stampings. Do these covers appear to be OEM or do I need another type gasket for the different tabs or need to cut the tabs and re-glue them in the needed positions?
--- End quote ---
It is common for modern valve cover gasket sets with tabs to not line up with the 60's type valve cover. Many of us have side stepped that problem to get that vintage look by cutting the tabs off that are in the wrong place and gluing them on so that they protrude through the notch visually like they are supposed too. Sometimes you have to use a donor set of gaskets to get tabs from. Of course the tabs are only there to locate the gasket in the right place for installation once the gasket is secured in place the relocating of the tab does not effect the integrity of the gasket .
21.04:
Thanks for giving direction on the repro gaskets.
21.04:
Are there known variations in the slot locations on OEM 65-66 HP 289 chrome covers? I found an early NOS cork gasket in my collection with black rubberized coating with part number C6OZ-6584-A that should be the correct gasket for the '66 HP 289 chrome valve covers. Unlike the NPD reproduction version, it has no outside tabs. Are there variations of these early Ford replacement gaskets or was this part number an assembly line version made to accommodate variations in different valve cover outer slot locations? Photo attached of the early C6OE-6584-A Ford replacement gasket. I have not inspected or compared any other original HP 289 chrome covers or gaskets to know what variations there were, if any. Perhaps there is someone who knows?
CharlesTurner:
The rubber gasket is a later replacement and not assembly line correct for at least 65-68 (and probably a bit later).
There was a standard valve cover change in '66 that added notches to the bottom edge to allow clearance for emission tubes. In the picture above, the notches can be seen. So, what you're dealing with is an early/late valve cover design, which has corresponding gasket types. I would say that your very late '66 had the notched valve covers. The Mannel book may go into more detail.
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