Can I use late model HP500 valve covers on my Merlin heads with .630 lift cam. I was about to buy a pair but the owner didn't thinkthey would fit.

I f the HP 500 valve covers say Mercruiser and are chrome the moron that did my boat doubled up on the gaskets to clear the rockers

My boat has the Merlin rectangular-port heads and Crane Gold rockers with the HP500 covers. They have had the oil deflectors ground off on the inside but still use the stock o-ring gasket. I believe my cam is slightly short of .600 lift though. Mock it up and you'll be able to see what it's going to require for gaskets.

You'll need to grind a little off the corners of some of the rockers (if you're using Crane Golds).

I've got a few sets of 1" spacers for valve covers lying around.

Yeah, mine has one rocker on each side that's had a corner dressed on a grinding wheel. But I've seen this on all the engines equipped with these covers as well as the older Cyclone/Weiand covers.

Thanks everyone