Valve cover spreader bars for a late GT350

[joephil]

I am looking for these:
http://blog.virginiaclassicmustang.com/2014/05/cobra-valve-cover-hold-down-tab-set.html

They aren't available at Kentucky Mustang; it seems they focus more on general Mustang parts than specific Shelby reproduction parts.

Do you know where I could get a set?

[Bob Gaines]

I am looking for these:
http://blog.virginiaclassicmustang.com/2014/05/cobra-valve-cover-hold-down-tab-set.html

They aren't available at Kentucky Mustang; it seems they focus more on general Mustang parts than specific Shelby reproduction parts.

Do you know where I could get a set?

I am not aware of anyone currently making some.Brant who used to own Virgina Mustang had some made up but stopped years ago. You might get lucky and find some I believe your best bet will most likely be talking to someone who has a set on or off of valve covers into tracing patterns of each one and making up a set yourself. I hope you find the easy button on this one.

[Brant]

As mentioned, I sold the last set many years ago. Due to the extremely limited demand, I did not make another run.

I think that I had an "overrun" of the long tab straight ones, so I still have those. There is only one of those used per valve cover, so that doesn't really help much.

If you have an original set to go by, they would not be extremely difficult to make.

[s2ms]

There are a number of options out there you might be able to modify and get to work. These are for small block Chevy...

https://www.amazon.com/GSKMOTOR-Valve-Cover-Spreader-Aluminum/dp/B09Z2MS7PL/

[Bob Gaines]

There are a number of options out there you might be able to modify and get to work. These are for small block Chevy...

https://www.amazon.com/GSKMOTOR-Valve-Cover-Spreader-Aluminum/dp/B09Z2MS7PL/

It was a nice thought but I don't think so. The shape is just too far off. Best to start from scratch . If you can't get something figured out remind me next week and I will try and find the tracings of them I have in my files. I am packing for the Florida MCA show now.

[joephil]

Since I live in France, I was hoping these reproductions were or would become available again.

I've already purchased these from Amazon, which are the closest to the originals I could find, but I probably won't use them.

I've collected several photos of unrestored/very original GT350s (however, I haven't found a good photo of the one closest to the intake, the long tab one), and I don't think it's worth modifying them.
The problem isn't that they're too long, but that they're too thick, the drilled hole is too low and too big.

I'll send you a PM, Brant, to buy the ones you have; at least I'll have the two long tabs.
Regarding the other tabs, I'll indeed start from scratch, and if you have the tracings of them, Bob, I would be very grateful.

Thanks anyway to everyone for your replies and your involvement.

[J_Speegle]

Since I live in France, I was hoping these reproductions were or would become available again.

I've already purchased these from Amazon, which are the closest to the originals I could find, but I probably won't use them.

I've collected several photos of unrestored/very original GT350s (however, I haven't found a good photo of the one closest to the intake, the long tab one), and I don't think it's worth modifying them.
The problem isn't that they're too long, but that they're too thick, the drilled hole is too low and too big.

I think you meant to type the short or curved tab ones.

Also the ones in your picture have rounded corners at the end of the tabs unlike originals as well as the "bump" in the tabs or arms



Paint is worn off in the one example of the corner spreader




Longer version - 3 per side - and details of originals

[joephil]

I think you meant to type the short or curved tab ones.

I was talking about the one that is referred to as "Straight w/ Long Tab" in the Virginia Mustang picture.
In other words, the one that is only used once per valve cover.

Also the ones in your picture have rounded corners at the end of the tabs unlike originals as well as the "bump" in the tabs or arms

Indeed, even though they were too long so this section would have been removed. But even with this modification, they wouldn't be accurate compared to the reproductions.
Thank you for the close-up photos especially the last one showing the thickness.

[Brant]

Since I live in France, I was hoping these reproductions were or would become available again.

I've already purchased these from Amazon, which are the closest to the originals I could find, but I probably won't use them.

I've collected several photos of unrestored/very original GT350s (however, I haven't found a good photo of the one closest to the intake, the long tab one), and I don't think it's worth modifying them.
The problem isn't that they're too long, but that they're too thick, the drilled hole is too low and too big.

I'll send you a PM, Brant, to buy the ones you have; at least I'll have the two long tabs.
Regarding the other tabs, I'll indeed start from scratch, and if you have the tracings of them, Bob, I would be very grateful.

Thanks anyway to everyone for your replies and your involvement.

Please click the link to send me an email rather than a PM.

I am more likely to see an email as opposed to a message on this forum.

I may be able to help you, so you can at least get the proper information to make a set.

-Brant

[6s1640]

Hi Joe,

I've attached an image of the spreader bars with two axes with yardsticks. Copy the image into a word file and scale the print until you get a match on the yardsticks. Then you'll have a pattern to start with. That'll get you really close. Hope that helps.
Best of luck
Cory.

[6s1640]

Hi Joe, you can also try this dimensioned drawing.
Cory

[Bob Gaines]

Since I live in France, I was hoping these reproductions were or would become available again.

I've already purchased these from Amazon, which are the closest to the originals I could find, but I probably won't use them.

I've collected several photos of unrestored/very original GT350s (however, I haven't found a good photo of the one closest to the intake, the long tab one), and I don't think it's worth modifying them.
The problem isn't that they're too long, but that they're too thick, the drilled hole is too low and too big.

I'll send you a PM, Brant, to buy the ones you have; at least I'll have the two long tabs.
Regarding the other tabs, I'll indeed start from scratch, and if you have the tracings of them, Bob, I would be very grateful.

Thanks anyway to everyone for your replies and your involvement.

Until you find or make some that look like they are supposed to I would not use anything rather than using the ones you bought that don't even look close IMO. Remember that those factory spreaders were only used on later 66 GT350's as an experiment. 67,68,69 and 70 GT350 used the same valve cover without the spreaders and without any notable problems so apparently it was determined that they were not needed.

[Bob Gaines]

What with reply #9 and #10 you couldn't ask for a better template to copy. 

[T-Bone68]

Looks doable. How thick should they be?

[shelbydoug]

The first place that I ever saw those were from Chevy for the Corvair.

I would suggest that you investigate "Corvair" parts shops before you go making them. They are common Corvair parts.