Valve cover bolts were only finger tight?

Aquabob

New Member

Jun 13, 2004

23

0

0

Clovis, CA

Jul 10, 2004

#1

• Jul 10, 2004

• #1

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

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

6

79

Charlotte, NC

Jul 10, 2004

#2

• Jul 10, 2004

• #2

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

Active Member

Nov 25, 2003

2,332

1

48

Stafford,VA

Jul 10, 2004

#3

• Jul 10, 2004

• #3

Michael Yount said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

 

larrendeuce

Member

Sep 13, 2003

649

1

19

Southern NJ

Jul 10, 2004

#4

• Jul 10, 2004

• #4

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

New Member

Jun 13, 2004

23

0

0

Clovis, CA

Jul 10, 2004

#5

• Jul 10, 2004

• #5

larrendeuce said:

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.

Click to expand...

 

Aquabob

New Member

Jun 13, 2004

23

0

0

Clovis, CA

Jul 10, 2004

#6

• Jul 10, 2004

• #6

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

 

larrendeuce

Member

Sep 13, 2003

649

1

19

Southern NJ

Jul 10, 2004

#7

• Jul 10, 2004

• #7

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.