1973 351C 4V stock valve cover question

[JD79]

Hi guys ,

I have a question regarding my 1973 351C 4V engine.  I see a lot of different valve covers for the 351 engines. I was wondering if the covers on my engine are original from factory or installed afterwards. Are there any differences by year? 2V or 4V?

The engine in my car has been rebuild in 2005 but the current valve covers were already on there when I check some photo's of the rebuild. 

When I am going to restore the car , I want it to be as original as possible.

 

[turtle5353]

Not factory.  They should look more like these ones.

 

[secluff]

jd79, those valve covers were a Ford Motorsport offering starting in the 80's. They were patterned after the Boss 302/351 valve covers and were  offered in polished and black crinkle finish. They are still in the FRP catalog (now Ford Racing Parts) and have Ford Racing on the valve cover. Sold a lot of them and were a lot better quality than the last Boss 302/351 castings offered through Ford parts. Most of the 73 steel production installed valve covers just had the Ford oval (like Jason's illustration). Some early 73's may have the 70-72 cover which had "Power By Ford". With the exception of the R code 351's all 2bl and 4bl 351C's used the same valve covers.

 

[JD79]

Steve and Kevin,

Thanks for your sharing your knowledge and answering my question!

Jeroen

 

[72HCODE]

most of the time when an engine is rebuilt they use aftermarket lifters and rockers and they no longer fit under the original valve covers.

so be careful if you want to go back to stock and buy a set of original covers, that first time you start up and start getting massive banging noises means you will be going back to the taller after market ones.

 

[JD79]

most of the time when an engine is rebuilt they use aftermarket lifters and rockers and they no longer fit under the original valve covers.

so be careful if you want to go back to stock and buy a set of original covers, that first time you start up and start getting massive banging noises means you will be going back to the taller after market ones.

Thanks for the info! Didn't think about this. 

As far as I know everything is standard. Just slightly bigger pistons  (0.010)

I've taken some photo's of the engine rebuild photo album....  Maybe you can advise if it is still standard....





upload photo

 

[73pony]

Looks stock to me.

 

[tony-muscle]

Those are the valve covers I want in case you want to sell them. Let me know.

Maybe we can swap valve covers.

1971 M-code Mach 1

 

[OMS]

JD  stock valve covers were different for 71 - 2 powered by ford   VS 73  ford if you want to go original

 

[JD79]

JD  stock valve covers were different for 71 - 2 powered by ford   VS 73  ford if you want to go original

Thanks Don! It looks like Jason ( 73pony ) has the covers I am looking for.