Ken,

Actually, no, no mods to the valve covers and it still fits well. The pics are just a test fit I made a while ago. (like you this has been in my workshop for a few years). In the pics, the engine is sitting on a paint can and the cowl is just placed over it. So, the cowl traveled down along the engine till it finally touched the valve covers. In actuality it will be much further back to make room for a dummy up front. I'll probably have to add an extended drive shaft off the front to do this. That far back there is even more clearance from the cowl and valve covers. Not to mention that the engine is not all that hot up there. I can easily put my hand on it while it's running so I doubt it will soften char or burn the fiberglass. Especially if you do a layer of fiberglass cloth and jb weld for the resin.



Regarding the exhaust, I will probably make my own, adding the side exhausts. I did this on a smaller zero a few years back and seeing the smoke puff out from all those stacks was just awesome. I will make it a priority on this one too. Yes, it got a bit messy but it ddid also look very realistic.