[tom s]

Guys,im offering up a service to install the factory 2 1/2 in stacks in valve covers.He can make up 63-64 421 HO covers and also 61 SD covers.Can be installed in any.$200 which includes the stacks and labor.Would need to send your covers to 90814.Tom

[61-63]

For the information of all I've sent several pairs of both '63/'64 and '59/'60 valve covers to Tom over the years and had them made into 421HO and 540306 SD valve covers and you will not be disappointed.

[dataway]

Nice ... wish I had the machine to swag stuff like that. ... or swedge ... whatever the word is.

[tom s]

So do I!So I dont have to have someone else do it!First thing he has to do is drill the proper size hole around the existing holes and then insert and swage.The ones with twist in breather are harder he says.I have enough tubes to do about 15 sets and then its over.Tom

[dataway]

I made up the dies to expand some motorcycle exhaust sections for slip fit ... even that was a pain in the butt to do in a hyd press.

[U47]

I know the Olds Gen2 engine for sure because I've done it and possibly the Chevy front oil filler neck both of witch can be wrestled with a little ATF by rocking back and forth will come out. The Olds filler neck is the perfect size for a tall stack like Pontiac's had in NASCAR engines of the late 50's and early 60's and you can use the large 55-60 breather twist on cap or the 61-64 type of smaller twist on. The Olds has a long tube so you can cut and weld to any desired length.
Image of the Gen 2 Olds in the engine with UE tag :
https://img00.deviantart.net/34c7/i/...47-d801m5g.jpg

http://st.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/2...engine_bay.jpg

I did mine on 57 valve covers because 57 covers are the only ones that have the Pontiac script stamped into the rocker cover. I used Knudsens baby blue ( 58-65 ) for the cover and Ford blue for the script. I know 57 Bonneville uses this color, however some people say it's a little different-makes no odds to me as you all know the color I'm on about.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/...f470a1e1_b.jpg

FYI if you are still using the Road draft tube to evacuate the crankcase you will want to use the large 55-60 breather cap and not the smaller type or the aftermarket replacement cap for 55-60

[tom s]

These are left over tubes from the repoping of the 63 421 SD valve covers.Many people have welded tubes in for years.These are put in like the factory swage.Tom

[tom s]

The factory SD covers never used the double tall tube in your second pic.I have seen many of them having a added tube to a factory tube.I believe the 58 fuelie used a 2 pc tall tube on the pass side valve cover.The 61 SDs and the 63 SDs used the tube we are putting in.Tom

[U47]

Originally Posted by tom s

These are left over tubes from the repoping of the 63 421 SD valve covers.Many people have welded tubes in for years.These are put in like the factory swage.Tom

It's easy to make the swage tool and to form from the existing metal. Sometimes the junkyard won't even charge you for the tube.

[U47]

Originally Posted by tom s

The factory SD covers never used the double tall tube in your second pic.I have seen many of them having a added tube to a factory tube.I believe the 58 fuelie used a 2 pc tall tube on the pass side valve cover.The 61 SDs and the 63 SDs used the tube we are putting in.Tom

I believe the 58 A/C cars also use the tall tube.

[dataway]

Originally Posted by U47

It's easy to make the swage tool and to form from the existing metal. Sometimes the junkyard won't even charge you for the tube.

If you could give a brief explanation of the way to make a swage tool I'd be interested. My attempts have not been successful.

[U47]

The easiest way to get some ideas is to check out you tube. You will need some machine tools to make a dies though.

[tom s]

My guy can make a set,problem is as far as I know there are no more tubes avail.If and when mine are gone im done.I have tied up too much money over the years repoping stuff.I had a chance to buy the last of them,bought them and when they are gone thats it.I have enough for about 15 sets.Tom

[tom s]

here is what a tube looks like before install.Tom

[dataway]

Can't imagine the tube is all that hard to source. I've built a lot of strange stuff for people over the years. Tube can be had in almost any gauge and material. That already has the lip formed .... which would be far more difficult.

Making dies is very complex, a few thousands of an inch can make the difference between works and doesn't. I won't believe it's "easy" until I see it being easy. I've got the machine tools to make most anything as far as dies go, but putting them in a machine that makes them work is a whole different animal.

I made the dies to press in ball joint rivets like the factory ... but making it work in the press is hit and miss. Swedging (?) in a tube in something like a valve cover would be far from a simple process for the average machine shop. Those are some tight lips, not like exhaust system work. Somebody has a good machine and some good custom made dies to make it work.

[tom s]

If you were mass producing these things it a lot diff from doing a few sets a year!The juice aint worth the squeeze!I have been just doing it to help guys that "NEEDED" them to complete a restoration on 61 SD or 421 HO engines.I did one for my 63 4 cyc engine and it does help keeping oil from seeping out the breathers.The repop 421 SD covers came about with me sending Barry at Sonic Motors a NOS set and he had dies made to do them.He had the tubes made and installed them him self.They are all gone,he destroyed the dies after offering them to the industry.He had Xtra tubes so I have been using them.As I said,when these are gone im done,just not enough demand. Tom

[tom s]

TTT,service still avail.Tom

[tom s]

TTT,Tom

[tom s]

Service still avail!

[tom s]

TTT,service still avail.Still have a few tubes left.Tom