Weber IDFs w/alumin(i)um valve covers

[Steve Toner]

Seems my aluminum valve covers prevent my Webers from attaining WOT - the arm of the accelerator pump hits the cover before the butterflies aare fully open. Apparently this is a known problem by Inglese, who supplied my Webers, but the only slution they'll offer (and I didn't talk to them directly, but was told this) is to go to stock steel valve covers.

Has anyone come across this problem before, and does anyone have a solution that will let me keep the valve covers I have? Looks like maybe they could be milled, but I don't know right now how much extra travel they require... I should post a photoso people can see what I'm talking about, but I don't have a digital camera...

 

[Neal]

I've seen phenolic spacers under each carb to raise them up enough to clear the cover.

 

[Steve Toner]

Hmmm... Spacers might do the trick, but they do have the effect of increasing the runner length. Not sure what the effect of that would be...

 

I havent been doing engines for a good 10 years now, but as far as I remember longer runners should mean more low down torque and less high rpm HP. On short spacers like you are talking about I doubt it will be noticeable at all.
Ken