Quote from: glenmichael on 2025-06-13 15:02Hello gasman826, my valve covers are stock blue ford, the no leak type!! Gary, do you have some Pretty ones for sale?? It was good running into you and talking to you it's been a while. seems like time fly's when you're out having fun!! by the way the picture of your car does not do it justice, it's just Beautiful!!

   How does your big block cool with the electric fan setup?

Hello rmk57, I have never spent much time sitting in traffic on a hot summer day, but with the new radiator, during normal driving the car runs under 170 with a 160 thermostat. I admit that I normally don't drive the distance Rich might on his ventures and when I do drive, I push the speed limit and push more air through the radiator, but there was no room between the motor and radiator, so my options are Limited ... Thanks for asking but Truth is I tend to drive it like I stole it!!!

Any luck on moving your car Rich?

Not yet, Joe. Thanks for asking. Funny story though........the only car that's been in our 2 1/2 car garage since we bought the house 8ish years ago is my '57. Well, after a little straightening, I turned over the garage to my wife. The day after, I was out for a drive, and she called me to tell me the garage door wouldn't open and made a loud noise! Yep garage door spring broke. Her first day after 8 years!

Too funny

Good morning 57 ford fans, Gasman I want to Thank you, yesterday I went over to check on Woody he has been having tests run for medical issues and found you dropped off a pair of very nice valve covers, again thank you!! We just placed one on top of the existing stock one and I think they will look Great!! Even though the motor is running great it's starting to smoke out the exhaust we both think it's the valve seals which I will look at changing after the summer driving season and install your shinning valve covers then... THANKS hope everyone has a great Day

  I have the earlier versions. I personally like them and would only change them if a pair of oem finned Cobra-Jet covers fell into my lap.

Quote from: rmk57 on 2025-06-27 11:10I have the earlier versions. I personally like them and would only change them if a pair of oem finned Cobra-Jet covers fell into my lap.

Randy...that is one sexy lookin' engine! 

Quote from: mustang6984 on 2025-06-27 14:43Randy...that is one sexy lookin' engine! 

  Thanks! Still plugging away with it.

Not sure if this works on a FE, but I had great experience replacing valve stem seals with the old rope trick (on my 292Y). No need to pull the heads. but it probably depends on how much access you have to the spark plug holes in car and whether or not you want to do all of this leaning over the fenders. Judging from pics above, it seems plenty of space.

Quote from: glenmichael on 2025-06-27 08:32we both think it's the valve seals which I will look at changing after the summer

A way to do the seal change is modify an old spark plug (or use a  compression checker flex line) and put air in the cylinder.  Holds the valves up no problem.  That particular piston will want to go to bottom dead center so you will need to put a wrench on the balancer bolt to hold it up in the "firing" position.

In regard to the valve seals, I plan on removing the spark plugs and put air pressure into the cylinder to keep the valve from falling when the spring is compressed and the retainers are removed. the motor has 55,000 miles on it, but it runs too well to start tearing it apart!! Woody thinks he has the spring compression tool we need, finding it might be the problem though... Other than a little oil and occasional smoke coming out the exhaust the car runs really well and in Michigan the driving season is here and relatively short, that being said I'd like to wait till winter to play Mechanic. I agree that is a fine-looking motor rmk57...

Thanks Ford Blue blood we were typing at the same time, and I plan on following your thoughts..

  Last time I replaced valve springs I only removed the one spark plug on the cylinder I was working on and that was only to bring the piston up to tdc, with both valves closed of coarse. Never used any compressed air either, the valve will only drop down 1/16" or so. I find if I remove all the plugs and use compressed air the engine will always start to roll over so as blue blood mentioned you need to use a breaker bar on the balancer to keep it from turning over. I also bought one of these valve spring tools. My springs are close to 400 lbs. closed pressure so the puller type compressor with the knob on top you twist isn't going to cut it.

Thanks Randy, the last time I removed a valve spring with the head still on was early 1970s in the on base auto shop, I like your suggestion/method better! Where did you get your valve spring tool it looks like a good investment for what I'm planning? This is a perfect example why I Love this Site, the shared knowledge is Amassing!!