I should start with this is my first experience with Y-blocks. I have a 55 272 that I had bored to standard 292 spec. I bought a 4 barrel manifold ECZ-9425-B. When trying to fit it, it hits the lifter valley cover and will not sit flush on the heads by about 1/4 " at the front. this is with all the gaskets in place. What is wrong? 

If it is a factory valley cover, which is stamped steel, possibly excess milling of the block and / or heads and intake.

If it is an aftermarket cast valley cover, then it is possible that it needs to be clearanced for the intake, most likely near the runners and the possible causes listed above could still be at play.  Many aftermarket covers are not designed for the bolt grommets and if you try to use them, the bolt can hit the intake.


Lawrenceville, GA

It is a factory cover. I just measured the thickness of the head , reads .998 so the were milled only slightly from the stock, as I understand, 1.010. The intake does not appear to have been milled and sits flush on the heads. It only is touching at the intake runner between ports # 1 and five. Looks like I can re-shape the cover in that one area and get clearance.
While I have you, is the cover installed with bolts or studs w/ nut grommet. Thanks for your help. 

Was the block milled?

The valley cover is held on with bolts.  There should be plenty of room if only a little milling was done.  The only other thing I can think of is that the cover is not siting flat on the block,


Lawrenceville, GA

Sounds like the manifold is sitting on the front valley cover bolt.  Do not try to force the manifold on, it will result in breaking the front ear(s) off the manifold.  Provide clearance by cutting or grinding the grommet thinner so the bolt can seat a little deeper.  Check with a feeler gauge or a piece of cardboard through the area before you tighten the manifold.  Don't ask me how I know this.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John.  This is an example of information that is not in any FoMoCo service manual, Motors, or Chilton.

Thanks for all the information that you and other Forum members share with others! 

Regards,
Charlie Brown


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

Try it without out the valley cover and check clearences that way. Then you can see if the problem is a result of milling. It's pretty simple to make a replacement cover out of a sheet of aluminum that eliminates any problem. Shortened rubber wouldn't hurt but just wanted to point out some other ways to skin that cat.



Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Try it without the vally pan hold down bolts.

Another approach if the front holddown bolt is the problem. Use a thin flat wide washer, with a thin wide flat rubber washer under it. You might find those items at a plumbing supply..


Paul

Thank You for all your helpful ideas. So with nothing to lose.. I used a propane torch and hammer and dolly and changed the shape of the sheet metal in that area. The most difficult part was working around that baffle that is on the inside of the pan. I also cut down and reshaped the rubber grommet and ground the head of the bolt thinner to provide a little extra clearance to the bolt. the pan was touching both the bottom of the intake runner and the bolt.
all seems fine now.   Thanks again for your responses.   Jim