Valve cover bolts were only finger tight?

[Aquabob]

I had a pretty good oil leak and determined that it was comming from the valve covers. Went to wrench off the bolts and found I could take everyone of them off with just a socket and my fingers.
Is this normal?
Do I need to get in there and retighten after a few miles?
I bought the best gasket that Auto Zone carried to replace the old ones, will that be better?

I really don't want to go through all of this work just to have the same leak in month from now.

Any responces would be greately appreciated.

 

[Michael Yount]

Very common problem by the way - not to worry. The only valve cover gasket I'd use is the metal/rubber composite gaskets. FelPro makes one; the dealer carries them. Replace the gaskets, and retorque to about 6-8 ft-lbs. Check them every now and then - resnug.

 

[88stangmangt]

Very common problem by the way - not to worry. The only valve cover gasket I'd use is the metal/rubber composite gaskets. FelPro makes one; the dealer carries them. Replace the gaskets, and retorque to about 6-8 ft-lbs. Check them every now and then - resnug.

make sure you "back" them off first before you re-tighten them... over you might over torque them.

 

[larrendeuce]

Happened to me too. Every last one was loose. I had to remove the intake to get to the center drivers side bolt. I waited until I was ready to paint the upper and bought a spacer. Now I can just barely get to it.

 

[Aquabob]

Happened to me too. Every last one was loose. I had to remove the intake to get to the center drivers side bolt. I waited until I was ready to paint the upper and bought a spacer. Now I can just barely get to it.

 

[Aquabob]

Thanks for the help, so where did you get the spacer from? Is that the only purpose for the spacer?

 

[larrendeuce]

I got a ford racing one, 3/8" I think. I got it so I could get to the valve covers, but its supposed to keep the upper cooler. I haven't noticed a difference. Probably works better when the egr is blocked off at the lower. Track times are the same. I don't think my spacer is tall enough to run tall carbed valve covers, the throttle linkage was hitting.