My New Carbon Stuff

[Kurtis500]

Just finished my first valve cover, see what you think..? I have a few improvement s to make on the next one but this is a good test piece. There is also a little bit of the new scoop I made in there. That piece is a test also, but the mold is almost done and I should have a finished carbon part by this weekend. I have a few other things that should be done by then too.
http://free.***boat.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Forum_Graphic_Depot&image=carbon3.JPG&img=&tt=
http://free.***boat.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Forum_Graphic_Depot&image=carbon4.JPG&img=&tt=
If someone can edit it to show the pictures please do...I'm not very good at this.

[Oldsquirt]

http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Forum_Graphic_Depot/carbon3.JPG
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Forum_Graphic_Depot/carbon4.JPG

[Infomaniac]

:) :) :D :) :)

[superdave013]

Those valve covers are bad ass!!! If you can make some angled ones for a BBC that will clear some CMI headers I'll buy a set!!

[dossangers]

Dig'IN THAT SNORKEL SCOOP!! eek! eek!

[Kurtis500]

Thanks everyone for the compliments.
I have spent more time than I want to admit on creating plugs and molds and so-on. I have a few other things I am going to start making. I should also have one of my other items finished tommorow and should be able to post some pics of it.
The 392 valve cover is pretty strong. It is not superlight like some carbon stuff but it is very rigid and lighter than stock or aluminum valve covers. I plan on driving my truck on it and taking a picture for everyone to see. Whether it crushes or holds I'll post it here anyways.
If you want something made of carbon let me know. Superdave, if the headers could sell more than a couple sets over a period of time it is quite possible. Just the 392 valve covers took over 100 hours from plug construction to manufactured part. Of course I picked the 392, one of the rarest around :confused: :confused:
[ October 17, 2002, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: Kurtis500 ]

[superdave013]

Kurtis, Not headers but vavle covers. The angled ones are required to clear most water jacketed exhaust manifolds. Maybe Info can post a good pic of his. That's just what I need and most others would need that style too unless they are running Bassetts or zommies.
And it's for a BBC. I bet you would sell a bunch just because they are so PIMP and different.

[GofastRacer]

I would buy a set of tall covers for BBC!!!... :cool:

[Kurtis500]

oops, did I say headers? yeah I did.. do the angled aluminum valve covers clear the valve train with girdles on it? Do you have a picture of one? i have a BBC sitting outside here but it has the regular style on it.

[superdave013]

Kurtis500:
oops, did I say headers? yeah I did.. do the angled aluminum valve covers clear the valve train with girdles on it? Do you have a picture of one? i have a BBC sitting outside here but it has the regular style on it.Yes they will clear girdles. Hopefully Info will post some good pics of his.
Here's a set installed.
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Gearhead_Garage/Motors_and_Drives/509_Side.JPG
just the cover
http://www.eddiemarine.com/cart/Pictures/108_02.jpg

[P-Money]

Kurtis 500, I would love to get my hands on a set of valve covers for a BB Chevy. I'm running headers so I don't have to worry about clearance.
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Gearhead_Garage/Motors_and_Drives/Boat21.JPG

[Sangster]

K500..Do you use an aluminum rail in the valve covers.. Are they vaccum molded or hand hay-up.. :cool: :)
[ October 19, 2002, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Sangster ]

[Kurtis500]

Sangster, I am making them by using the RTM process and a set of matched molds. One is a mold, the other a counter-mold. When bolted and sealed together they have a specific gap in between them. Before putting them together I load the carbon and a non-bindered synthetic I-beam material into the mold then close it with the counter mold. I then inject the part at about 20psi. RTM is a more expensive way to get the similar result. Most valve covers are vacuum molded. Some are hand laid in a single mold then placed in a vacuum bag and pulled down. The benefit of RTM is that a part can be made with tolerances in the thousandths. It all depends on how you build the matched molds. With the semi-permanent release systems I am using, along with the realease additives in the resin itself the process can be repeated numerous times a day with the same molds. I am using the valve covers and so-on to get some good experience with this process and then I will be making some other parts which require specific tolerances. As for the metal rail I dont believe there is any reason for one in these. These first two I have made are so rigid with this synthetic core that it wont be neccessary. The finished part is about 1/4 inch thick. I'm not sure if they are as light as some of the others in comparison (since there are no others for the 392) but these are lighter than the stock or aftermarket options for the 392. I plan on driving over one with my truck and posting a picture of it on here, regardless of the result.

[Sangster]

If you can do a set of BBC Talls that clear large stud girdles, let me know... I could use a set or two....Let me know...... :D

[Kurtis500]

With the 2 or 3 makers for the BBC carbon valve covers do none of them clear a stud girdle?
The other thing I am also doing is having the colored carbon/kevlar weaves delivered to use in the products. The colors come in half black and half red, blue, yellow, green, or orange. So a custom color can be made also.

[superdave013]

Kurtis500:
With the 2 or 3 makers for the BBC carbon valve covers do none of them clear a stud girdle?
The other thing I am also doing is having the colored carbon/kevlar weaves delivered to use in the products. The colors come in half black and half red, blue, yellow, green, or orange. So a custom color can be made also.As far as I know they all clear the stud girdles. But non of them will clear the water jacketed headers. Think about it. The offshore and lake performance guys will eat that up. You could get someone like Rex to sell them for you. $$$$ if you know what i'm sayin!