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  •  » 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

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    12/03/2021 9:14 PM  #1

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Here are some pics of the process of fitting the 1/2” spacers to Mustang 1984 aluminum valve covers.
    I ground off those ugly brackets from the valve covers. Roughed up the flanges with 40 grit flapper wheel, then ground out a groove in the flange.

    I used to do these using JB Weld, but I have found a much better product. It is called Marine Tex Grey.  It can be formed and molded after it starts to cure and is workable after three hours as far as grinding smooth. And it gets a GRIP on aluminum, especially with both parts being sanded with rough 36 grit.   But, best to wait 24 hours for full cure. 

    These pics show first day’s progress. I will post more after I get the perimeter ground down and blocked straight.  I also bought some billet plug wire separators that mount similar to foxbody type, except the bolt goes through the bracket rather than having a stud atop the bolts. I will mill down the bosses on the valve cover bolts by same thickness as the billet brackets so all bolts are same. This change was made because I cannot find any of the foxbody separators.







    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    12/03/2021 9:21 PM  #2

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Did you try LMR for the separators?  Or...If you really need I have a few but maybe not the ones you want.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    12/03/2021 9:24 PM  #3

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Tried LMR. I used to get them on ebay, but nobody has them. I have some used ones but missing a four-position one. I think I may like these billet ones better. Will see once they get here and I install them.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/03/2021 9:28 PM  #4

    MS
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers



    These are the billet ones. Should wind up in just about the same position as the foxbody ones, but no custom bolts-with-studs on the head.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/03/2021 9:32 PM  #5

    MS
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    This is the foxbody routing, as was done on Jose’s 5.0 in his 65 fastback. Apparently, he got the last of the foxbody separators.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/04/2021 7:21 AM  #6

    TKOPerformance
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Ah Marine Tex.  That and 3M 5200 are what's used to seal and put together a lot of boats.  Also, West System resin.  All really good stuff you never want to get on you. 

     

    12/04/2021 8:00 AM  #7

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    That's too bad.  I always thought they were one of the cleanest setups  going.  I bought two or three sets about three years ago from LMR.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    12/04/2021 10:08 AM  #8

    josh-kebob
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Late model restoration part # LRS-12297D

    Are these the wire separators you're referring too?
    If so, they're in stock at LMR...

    Last edited by josh-kebob (12/04/2021 10:42 AM)

     

    12/04/2021 1:40 PM  #9

    Rudi
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    josh-kebob wrote:

    Late model restoration part # LRS-12297D

    Are these the wire separators you're referring too?
    If so, they're in stock at LMR...

     
    Does not look to be the same, unfortunately.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    12/04/2021 3:05 PM  #10

    TKOPerformance
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    https://lmr.com/item/LRS-12297D/spark-plug-wire-holder-set-86-93

    These are reproductions of the factory Fox body wire looms.  I have them on the 331 for my '89 GT.  They work with larger wires too, bit of a tight fit though. 
     

     

    12/04/2021 3:21 PM  #11

    Alan
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    From: Axtell KS
    Registered: 4/03/2013
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Fleabay
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/362135202869?fits=Make%3AFord&hash=item5450f0ac35:g:Hr0AAOSwsgxhhBzg

    67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
     

    12/04/2021 3:25 PM  #12

    Alan
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    From: Axtell KS
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Fleabay
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/362135202869?fits=Make%3AFord&hash=item5450f0ac35:g:Hr0AAOSwsgxhhBzg
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/232159944286?fits=Make%3AFord&hash=item360dcf9e5e:g:7xsAAOSwGXJe8hIs

    67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
     

    12/04/2021 3:41 PM  #13

    josh-kebob
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Rudi wrote:

    josh-kebob wrote:

    Late model restoration part # LRS-12297D

    Are these the wire separators you're referring too?
    If so, they're in stock at LMR...

     
    Does not look to be the same, unfortunately.

    Not sure what you're looking at but these look just like the ones ms noted on Jose's car

     

    12/04/2021 4:12 PM  #14

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Dem be da ones.  Price is up a bit but that's them.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    12/04/2021 4:39 PM  #15

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Yep, you guys found them.  And both places where I had searched for them. I must not have used the right search criteria. I also found that Dorman sells the individual ones, but could not find one that holds four wires.
    I guess next time I need something and cannot find it, I now know where to ask for help!
    I already ordered the billet ones, so will see how it works out. I think they fit the wider engine bay found in 67-70 better than the 65-66, but maybe only 1/4” wider?  I will be the guinea pig on this one.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/05/2021 10:36 AM  #16

    BobE
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    I installed these Taylor separators ... 
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tay-42502 

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    12/05/2021 2:59 PM  #17

    MS
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    I sanded the flanges and got the valve covers painted satin black.  Then sanded the fins with 240, 400 and 1,000 grit until they are almost polished.









    One of the pics is for those always commenting my shop is too clean.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/05/2021 4:07 PM  #18

    True74yamaha
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    MS wrote:

    I sanded the flanges and got the valve covers painted satin black.  Then sanded the fins with 240, 400 and 1,000 grit until they are almost polished.









    One of the pics is for those always commenting my shop is too clean.

    Looks really clean. Is it common for valve covers to to not line up with bolt holes on stock 289 heads? I have a set of edelbrock valve covers and they don't line up with the front lower bolt near the front of the block. All other bolt holes line up.  Also that looks like a interesting fuel line set up. Great work Steve
     

    Last edited by True74yamaha (12/05/2021 4:09 PM)

     

    12/05/2021 6:50 PM  #19

    rpm
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    That turned out really nice Steve.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    12/05/2021 8:40 PM  #20

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Have never owned any Edelbrock covers, nor have I ever had any where the bolt holes do not line up.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/05/2021 9:11 PM  #21

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    I sure hope that Marine Tex epoxy holds up to this oil and heat exposure. I noticed alot of porosity in the stuff I ground off.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/05/2021 9:35 PM  #22

    Bentworker
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    I like the valve covers.  I have a similar fuel line setup and ended up insulating it.  Fastening to your pulley bracket system is way better than a cylinder head like I did.

     

    12/05/2021 10:38 PM  #23

    MS
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    The fuel line is not fastened to anything except the fuel pump and the carb feed line. It touches nothing on the way and is very rigid.  Designed to provide clearance for any bolts that would ever need to be removed.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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    12/06/2021 12:23 PM  #24

    Steve69
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Nice Job!   I wish I would of seen this before I painted up my Powered by ford Valve covers.  Im going to need
    those risers too.

     

     

    12/06/2021 9:09 PM  #25

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: 1/2” billet valve cover spacers blended onto 1984 Mustang 5.0 covers

    Here is the final result of spacers with plug wires. I counterbored the four valve cover bosses where the plug wires mount so the same bolts fit all holes. There is plenty of thickness left under the wire separators as these valve covers have really tall bosses from the factory.

    I am not thinking I like the look of these as much as the Foxbody, separators, but the advantage with these is they use normal bolts and the plug wires can be easily removed if necessary.

    I may fill the void around the separators, inside the counterbore, with black RTV just to finish it out.





    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
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