These are a little close. Stock covers give me 1 finger space. I started motor and revved it by hand to try to make motor flex into it but it doesn't. About 2 sheets of paper is about the space between the AC Delete Cover and Valve Cover. You think it will hit when I take it out an jump on it? Someone welded the motor mounts in it when they swapped from a 350 to a 455. I don't know if thats the problem or not?
Since the frame pads are welded in that leads me to think those pads came out of a big car (stamp steel). A-body pads are cast iron and would not weld in very well. That is your problem. Remove those pads and install TA1820CC frame mount kit. Also order the TA1820 bolt kit so you have the needed fasteners.
Anyways, I paid a body man to heat up the ac delete cover to bend it a little for 1/2 clearance. That solved the problem without a lot of undue hassle. But them valve covers are sure pretty. That Hedder in that pic is your shorty hedders, They have holded up well in the last 10 years I've had them.
