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miker
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Looks like you got it K. Look close, the washers on mine are Susan B dollars. Just a little joke for tbird guys 
miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ
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KULTULZ
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"Years ago there was a Yblock rebuild series, I think it was Doc Frohmader. He put a nut on the rocker shaft stud then the grommet, and set the valve cover in place. He adjusted the nut till he got the pressure he wanted on the vac gaskets, then tightened them down. This prevented over tightening the vc and pushing the gasket out." Do you notice any difference(s) between these two parts illustrations?
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KULTULZ
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Here is my thought - There were two styles of grommets for the FYB. One was original assembly and did not have the integral washer (B4A 6570-A). The other, a 1959 model year parts superscession, had the integral metal washer (B9A 6570-A). If one were to take the early style and reduce the grommet diameter and reduce the O.D. using the proper size hole punch (used to make gaskets from gasket paper), it should yield a proper service part. This would seal the opening and allow the brite finish washer and acorn nut usage for proper appearance (to me anyways). It is the little details that set one engine apart from another.
 
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55blacktie
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miker (4/5/2026)
Blacktie, exactly. A washer and acorn nut go on top. Seems like a lot of fiddling around to avoid a ham handed mechanic. Maybe Doc sold a lot of engines to them. Ive always run cast valve covers and been careful about tightening them on any engine. And a lot of the cores I’ve torn down showed warped covers and leaking gaskets. But I’ve not had that problem. My 55 Tbird has the cast "Dress-up" valve covers (most do, whether or not original). I also have an Ace cast valley cover that will go on my new build.
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miker
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Blacktie, exactly. A washer and acorn nut go on top. Seems like a lot of fiddling around to avoid a ham handed mechanic. Maybe Doc sold a lot of engines to them. Ive always run cast valve covers and been careful about tightening them on any engine. And a lot of the cores I’ve torn down showed warped covers and leaking gaskets. But I’ve not had that problem.
miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ
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KULTULZ
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Group: Forum Members
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My thought is can the bore(s) be machined larger to accept the correct grommets? I did look at some of those covers that are sitting here and there’s simply not enough material to machine the valve covers for the oem grommets.
Reading comprehension failed me in HS ...
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55blacktie
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Was a step left out, or am I overlooking something? If the grommet and nut are placed on the stud before the valve cover is in place, how do you tighten the nut? One nut was used under the valve cover and one on top? Were 2 grommets used as well?
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miker
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Group: Forum Members
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Years ago there was a Yblock rebuild series, I think it was Doc Frohmader. He put a nut on the rocker shaft stud then the grommet, and set the valve cover in place. He adjusted the nut till he got the pressure he wanted on the vac gaskets, then tightened them down. This prevented over tightening the vc and pushing the gasket out.
It’s a cloudy old memory, I’ve neve tried it or seen it anywhere else. I’d be inclined to go with Ted’s suggestions, but if they don’t work out for you, maybe?
miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ
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KULTULZ
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If they were not designed to accept FORD SERVICE PARTS or offered an alternative, they should mention that. I would hate to think what they cost and then you have to mickey mouse something to seal them.
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55blacktie
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Marc (4/2/2026)
So the long-awaited two types of grommets arrived from Concours Parts yesterday. As expected both are similar dimensionally where they fit into the valve covers, either steel or aluminum. The difference is the ones marketed as "early" do not have the built-in flat washer on top. Neither will fit the Spotlite Kustoms valve covers. Not a big deal, since using umbrella seals and flat washers instead of OEM grommets worked perfectly. Definitely a good idea to check your clearance between the intake and the forward valley cover bolt. I just installed a Mummert intake and realized it was making contact with the forward bolt head. Ended up grinding the bolt head down just a bit to gain some clearance. "Catch 22"
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