Thank you very much. Actually as of the last week, I have decided to go in a different direction and looking to sell the intake and valley cover that I have.

-Zach

Sir,  I have a 54 Customline also with a 427 in it.  I know of the valley pan you are referring to and have a couple of them.  They do make a non concours reproduction of it with the tube coming out of it for the push on breather cap.  But if you are looking for a OEM original, I can help you.

-TFR
thefordrebuilder@yahoo.com

Adding to what Ted indicated, take steps when welding to prevent warpage of the cover.  This might involve the use of square stock and clamping along the perimeter cover edge to a metal table top, skip welding, and time-outs to avoid heat build-up.

Certainly a do-able, functional, and potentially money saving approach.  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

This wasn’t a major job but some welding skills are needed.  It involved three cuts and then lowering the center portion ~1” at the front.  A piece of sheet metal was then cut and bent to fill in the gaps and welded in place.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted,
Thank you so much for that. I am pretty sure this is the route I will go. Was it an easy modification?

Here’s the picture of a modified cover I use on the dyno mule for various intake manifold testing.  It provides the necessary clearance for both the 1956 and 1957 Ford dual quad intakes.
 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

After the '57 model year, Ford continued to supply y-block 'E' code valley pans to those ordering them over the Ford parts counter.  At some point, the stock of original 'E' valley pan production ran-out and Ford used the '57 'E' code tooling in conjunction with the valley pans currently in production for the later y-block applications.  Thus, Ford continued to supply replacement 'E' code valley pans when they were ordered after the '57 model year had passed.

Click the link below to see an excellent facsimile of what the later 'E' code valley pans supplied by Ford for sale by dealer parts counters looked like.  My comparison only sees the dome at the bottom of the oil fill tube as the difference between the '57 production units and the after production year units supplied over the Ford parts counter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311630793999?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Someone told me once that there may be a difference in the length of the oil fill tubes, too.  Could be, don't know.          


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Click the link below to see what is offered by the seller as an original '57 'E' code valley pan.  $$$
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-THUNDERBIRD-FORD-E-SERIES-DUAL-QUAD-2X4-VALLEY-PAN-/262550050288?hash=item3d2133d5f0:g:tUUAAOSwcBhWXkik  

Notice that the filler neck has been re-brazed on the bottom side.  I say, 're-brazed' because of the fresh color of the bronze and the amount that was applied.  Ford did not use that much bronze, the original joint would have appeared to have been virtually sweat soldered.

Lots of ways to go IF you need a valley pan that will work with the original Ford y-block aluminum 2x4 manifolds.  - I think that a lot of the original Ford 2x4 manifolds with broken 'ears' that have been welded back on resulted from individuals attempting to install the Ford 2x4 intake over the standard y-block valley pan.  Tough lesson!  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

There is one i saw at the last monroe washington swapmeet. The people had a 50's ford booth, mabey someone on here locally remembers who it was and has contact info. They wanted a chunk for it as i recall

Concours Parts (800-722-0009)  sells valley covers for "E" motors for $115.00.  It is a aftermarket cover but I think the price is right for what it is.