Here is what I got done tonight. The valve covers that I got hit the intake runners. They had some relief for them, but not enough, the runners held them up about 1/8" above the rail of the head.
I marked the area that hit the runners with a blue Sharpie.
I used my offset aviation snips (right cut) to cut up close to the flat where the gasket sits.
Now I have plenty of clearance and did not mess up the chrome plating.
That's all for today. Next on my list is to get the pulleys and water pump and altenator brackets, and fuel pump to finish up the motor. A friend at work is rebuilding my swap meet carb for me now, so when that is done I can do the fuel line from the pump to the carb.