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Loren 
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1895
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 Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 1:55 pm Post subject: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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Has anyone else had trouble with the Speedwell 36hp aluminum valve covers not fitting? I just bought a pair and went to put them on and they won't fit under the cylinder tin. I would have to cut the bottom lip off the cylinder tin or grind off the top fin of the valve cover to get it to fit. I will likely have to return them if I can't find an affordable solution.
You can see the top fin of the valve cover hits the bottom lip of the cylinder tin and the cover won't fit under it. There also has to be room for the rubber seal that goes around the engine, so that will make it impossible to fit.
Here is the stock cover and there is plenty of room for it to fit under the cylinder tin, with plenty of room to spare for the engine seal. |
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chrisflstf
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2004
Posts: 4219
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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| Maybe a little risky, but you could grind off that first rib. Sandblast it, paint the whole thing black and polish the remaining ribs. |
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6326
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with trimming the cylinder tin. Slice that flange down the middle to reduce its height by half.
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2015
Posts: 902
Location: Rialto. CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 12:20 am Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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| What crank and rods size are you using on this engine ???? |
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vwhelmot
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Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 645
Location: united kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 1:52 am Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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| Nothing wrong with the original covers. They work perfectly. |
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2015
Posts: 902
Location: Rialto. CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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| vwhelmot wrote: |
| Nothing wrong with the original covers. They work perfectly. |
Yes and no about that nothing wrong with stock covers vs aluminum valve covers ...its been tested that stock valve covers tend to have higher head temps ...bare aluminum covers as well but not bad as stock but found that finned aluminum valve covers ran better head temps ..the fins helped cool the head .....only problem with bolt on aluminum valve covers if over tightened they would leak down the road at sometimes the stock valve covers seems to have the right pressure to hold the seals from leaking as much but of course they will leak everything is not 100% leak proof .....i remember seeing where they tried extra long valve cover Fins on aluminum valve covers and found they helped the engine temps even more but most folks didn't like the look of the Fins but now days everybody make semi fin covers do to clearance problems and cry baby's who don't want extra mods to make it work everybody wants to plug and play which at times I get it.. but if its been tested that the engine runs better with this why wouldn't you want to have it and make the mods to have your engine at top notch ....but than that's just Me to all reach its own .... |
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aircooled60
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2005
Posts: 11
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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Should not be an issue trimming the Tin. Someone has already cut big holes to fit those Dual Port Manifolds...
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Loren
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1895
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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I ended up sending the valve covers back. In order to get them to fit I would have to trim the cylinder tins. To do it right I would have to take all of the tins off, including the fan shroud and manifolds, trim the tins, paint them and put it all back together. In the end it wasn't worth it for me.
The folks at Speedwell were great to work with and they sent me a return label right away. |
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Tall Bloke
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Joined: October 07, 2005
Posts: 253
Location: UK>Ohio>UK
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 4:51 am Post subject: Re: Speedwell 36hp Aluminum Valve Covers Don't Fit |
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Period correct valve covers with the factory correct vent tubes would also work - see details per the 1958-1960 Bentley manual.
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