Valve cover

[roygar]

I began work on my 62 Uni this summer. With oil oozing from under the valve cover I knew I needed to replace the gasket. I found it odd the former owner chose not to use any bolts on the cover, just gasket glue. I popped off the cover to find no bolt holes for the cover. I looked at Chilton and realized my 223 uses a cover with two bolts on top connected to the rockerarm supports. However, it appears my rockerarm supports are not threaded for a stud bolt. I could tap the supports easily since there is already a 1/4" hole. So, I'm looking for the correct rockerarm cover for a 223. Please help. I can't find the part, except for a $150 aluminum cover.
Roy

[jeepbut]

Welcome Roy. I see you found us. He might have gotten here sooner if I had given him the correct web page. Please post a picture of your truck. It's a short uni, Lyman green, 223, four speed granny- really neat truck. I am not familiar with the 223, but I am sure someone would have the tapped rocker arms and the valve cover you need for cheap from a blown or worn out 223. I wonfer if the rocker arms you have are from a car 223 and maybe the car valve covers attached differently. Roy grew up southwest of Kansas City, so I suspect we will see him at Slickstock 08. Somebody jump in and help out this new member. I really enjoyed meeting you and getting to see your truck up close (I had been staulking it for 4 months!). Thanks, Lyman.

[Max]

Welcome to the club Roy! Our Corpus Christi Slick Squadron just doubled.

[66fordtrucknut]

Welcome from Md. Roy. What is the casting # on the head. I know the late 50's 223's had the 2 bolts valve covers, My 62 has has the newr style don't know about the 61's, I'll keep my eye out for one, A guy down the street hada 223 out of a 59' that had 2 bolt vc.
Charlie

[fmartin_gila]

Sounds like someone had to replace the head, and did so with the earlier one. I would think the easiest way would be to get a valve cover gasket set for the earlier 223( should have the perimeter gasket and the sealing rings for the two studs in it). Make two holes in the cover in the proper place and mount it. I think the changover was 59=early - 60=late.
Fred

[fmartin_gila]

Thinking about this a little more, I believe the 215 would be the same cover, so if junkyarding, any cover from the 50s should work.
Fred

[Truckfarmer]

I have an extra valve cover for sale. Email me.

[roygar]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I agree with fmartin, the Kansas farmer probably replaced the head from an earlier engine. I know it had been overhauled and had only 20k on the engine. I have not been able to find the casting # on the head yet. Where is it located? I found info on the 223 online-the 54-59 used 2 bolts on the valve cover, the 60-64(5) used 8 bolts. I don't want to drill two holes on top of the 8 bolt cover because I'll have to plug all the bolt holes in the cover since they are open to the inside of the rocker arm space. I'll give truckfarmer a try.
Roy

[The Big M]

Welcome!

I agree, don't drill the 8-bolt cover. Get yourself a 2-bolt one. They look much better, imo...

[Alan Mclennan]

Roy.

Glued on you say .

Alan

[MrEvil]

Yeah, the 223 that came out of my '61 has the 8 bolt cover. Not 100% sure it's the original engine or not.

[ripsnorter]

I've got a '62 F100, (not a uni) with a 223 in it. I'm 90% certain its the original motor and it uses the normal 8-bolt flange mount valve cover. (although in my head I'm thinking it has more like 6 bolts, I'd have to look though)

Sounds indeed like you have an older head on it.

[jeepbut]

Roy, I might stop by and take a couple of pictures of the uni and post them here if that is ok. Thanks, Lyman.