Valve cover install

[tonyk72]

This is the 1st time I ever took off any valve covers...what I found was a crusty gasket that probably contributed to my oil leak. When it comes to installation, what should I look for...what are the good gaskets, I've seen cork, rubber, and space-age stuff...anywhere from $7-$20.
How should I prep the surfaces?
Anything I should be careful of?

 

[cruzer99]

Clean, clean, and more clean the gasket surfaces no matter which gasket you use. At a min I would use the thick (about 1/4 in. thick), cork gasket. I don't use gasket sealer on valve cover gaskets. I have use the rubber gaskets also and they worked fine but no better than the cork ones which are about half the price.
I'm not sure what kind of hold-downs you have but the trick ones use a threaded stud that is screwed into the head that sticks up about 1/2 inch. This works great because you can drop the gasket on over the studs, check it and then drop the valve cover on over the same studs and tighten down the hold-downs.
Good luck......

 

[Rowdy1]

I Like Cork

I've always used the cork and never had a problem with them. I use brake clean and a scraper to remove any of the old gasket making sure not to gouge the valve cover where the gasket will sit. After making sure they are clean and dry I flip the valve cover upside down and lay the new gasket in place. Sometimes the new gaskets will be slightly out of shape due to the way they are stocked or shipped. It's important to make sure the gasket is to the outside edge of the valve cover so it sits on the edge of the head. If I need it, I'll use just a very small amount of silcone only where needed, let it set for a minute or two and then flip it over and carefully place it on the head. Once in place tighten the bolts or locks which ever you have. Snug them up tight but don't overtighten them and crush the gasket. Then periodically check them to make sure they aren't leaking and the hold down bolts aren't loosening up. It's a very simple job.

 

[tonyk72]

Is there anything wrong with keeping the cover off for a few days? I'm waiting for some parts to come in...

 

[cruzer99]

No problem.........as long as you don't keep it outside or in a chicken coup.

 

[Rowdy1]

Nope, But..

I always put a rag over anything I'm leaving overnight or for any length of time. Valve covers, intake manifold, distributor hole, anything that can come back to haunt you "if" something should find it's way in there. Better safe than sorry and a clean motor is a happy motor.

 

[tonyk72]

OK, I cleaned as best I could...I started using a razor blade to get the rest off but noticed it probably wasn't a good idea as I was also digging into the metal...is this clean enough? I used Acetone and a bristle sponge to get this far...

 

[Rowdy1]

The Cleaner The Better

The black stuff is either old gasket or old cement. It "may" be clean enough but my Dad was a fanatic for clean and I inherited his traits (more ways then one). You can use a razor, just scrape with it on an angle. I took an old putty knife and cut it down to the width of the tray the gasket sit in, it works very well. Even a nice flat screwdriver will work. Like cruzer82 and I both said, clean, clean, clean. The worst part of taking anyting apart and putting it back together is the cleaning aspect as far as I'm concerned.

 

[mvftw]

I use a Dremel Tool with the wire brush to do the final cleaning on all my surfaces, works great and fast, doesn't hurt the surface.http://www.dremelstore.us/drem395varsp.html:s

 

[James Price]

Your Valve Covers...

Clean the surface of both the cover and its contact surface on the head.

Acetone works very well for removing any iol or grease. Acetone evaporates almost as fast as you can wipe in on. (be careful it's highly flamable)

Cork is cool.... no sealer needed....

And DONT tighten the nuts/bolts too tight....it can cause a warped cover... check the torque specs 45 inch pounds I think.

Tighten from the inside out skipping from one side to the other.

 

[tonyk72]

I got the rest of the gunk off using a razor blade last night...I have noted that there are a few "gouges" on the inside. It looks as if somebody before me took a flat head screwdriver to do the scraping and wasn't too careful. They aren't too deep, but will that give me a problem?
As far as cleaning the head surface, I'll play with that tonight...do acetone and oil mix well ?
I got my cork valve covers coming in from Dr. Rebuild, I hear he carries the best fitting cork gaskets...I'll see if thats true...
I got new bolts coming in from Zip, as I snapped one of the bolts earlier when I was trying to tighten it (I was using a torque wrench and it didn't click off at the 45 ft. lbs mark, the bolt just kept kinda spinning a little loose until I heard a POP).

 

[Paranoid]

I got my cork valve covers coming in from Dr. Rebuild, I hear he carries the best fitting cork gaskets...I'll see if thats true...
I got new bolts coming in from Zip, as I snapped one of the bolts earlier when I was trying to tighten it (I was using a torque wrench and it didn't click off at the 45 ft. lbs mark, the bolt just kept kinda spinning a little loose until I heard a POP).

I don't know what "The doctor" charged you but for the valve covers you can get inexpensive replacements at your local auto parts store.

45 ftlb!!!:eek You're not securing the crank.:L You just need to make them a little tighter than snug.

 

[tonyk72]

oops...I'm new to this torque wrench stuff...I was probably doing inch lbs, but I should double check the manuals and my wrench settings...
Remember guys, I'm more of a PC tech than an engine tech
Yes, the cork gaskets were pricy ($14)...I'll let you guys know if they're worth it...

 

[vette-dude]

I might add-- make sure the valve cover is flat around the bolt holes. Most of the time the mounting bolts have been overtightened and the stamped metal has been deformed. Find a nice flat piece of metal and set the valvecover bolt hole over it and lightly tap from the head side to get it flat. I have found this little extra is most times overlooked and then the covers leak. You can use the anvil on your bench vise as long as you can position the cover on it. Don't whack it just tap it and don't over do it. Good luck.

Randy

 

[page62]

Don't feel to badly. A lot of us spend more time at keyboards than we care to think about -- that's why we like to get our knuckles greasy after work!

 

[vette-dude]

I looked at the pics and it appears the covers are aluminum not stamped so forget the former advice. You only do this with stamped covers. Sorry for the bum info!!

Randy

 

[cruzer99]

I hope you got the thick cork gaskets and it's "inch lbs" not "ft lbs". As it has been said, do not over tighten the hold down bolts. They are small for a reason. I snug them up and then another 1/2 turn, check for oil leaks after you warm up the engine. If you see any leaks another half turn and so on.

 

[Alwyn678]

I prefer the rubber gaskets but the cork works just as well....On little trick with cork gaskets is you want to moisten the cork BEFORE you put it on. It will allow a tighter seal

 

[tonyk72]

Moisten with what? water, oil? I just got them in today will be putting them on over the weekend...more pics to follow...

 

[MidShark]

I always moisten them with a light coating of grease- that makes 'em stick on for you better while you line things up, too. Just a very light coating will do, you don't want it all over everything.

Dick