Whats the torque for valve cover bolts?

84convertablegt · May 18, 2005

I noticed a slight oil leak on my drivers side valve cover (new engine btw) so i tightened the bolt, and then decided to tighten all of the bolts on both valve covers only to discover now oil is leaking everywhere out of the valve covers on both sides. i will be installing new valve covers saturday and have new gaskets, so what should i torque them down to to keep this from happening again. are they supposed to not be that tight or something? i just cant believe tightening them down made them leak more. hummmm

Great68 · May 18, 2005

Not much, something like 5-8 ft/lbs.

PoliceInterceptor · May 18, 2005

Depends on the gasket material, 5-8 is definately in the ball park with cork.

If you get cork too tight, or tighten it after it has some age on it, it tends to squeeze out and crack.

BrownPSU78 · May 18, 2005

if you have rubber can u just crankem down?

PoliceInterceptor · May 18, 2005

BrownPSU78 said:
if you have rubber can u just crankem down?

It is more forgiving for sure, I don't know that I'd "CRANK" them down, but it'll take more torque and probably be more tolerant of retorquing.

84convertablegt · May 18, 2005

yeah, i just removed the old valve covers and they were just cork gaskets. it looks like the one where the oil started dripping from definately had some problems. it was like cooked on the head surface where it bolts. my new gaskets are cork felpro gaskets. would it help to use a little hight temp rtv between the cork and valve covers before i put them on? seems like it would be some good insurance.

Hack · May 18, 2005

I think it's about 25 INCH-pounds. I remember because I thought it was foot pounds and I'm a dumbass. That's about 2 foot-pounds. I realized my mistake, but not until after I twisted one off.

Anyway, I don't think you should torque these small bolts. Just tighten them gently to feel.

BrownPSU78 · May 18, 2005

Thank you.
--Brown

yeloxr7 · May 18, 2005

84convertablegt said:
yeah, i just removed the old valve covers and they were just cork gaskets. it looks like the one where the oil started dripping from definately had some problems. it was like cooked on the head surface where it bolts. my new gaskets are cork felpro gaskets. would it help to use a little hight temp rtv between the cork and valve covers before i put them on? seems like it would be some good insurance.

Nope. Glue the gaskets onto the covers with Gasgacinch. Make sure the metal on the covers is not distorted around the bolt holes. You may need to use a hammer and dolly to flatten them out. make sure the gasket tabs are hooked in the notches. When I install valve covers, i Use a nit driver handle and snug them a little. Later I go around again to make sure they are tight.

84convertablegt · May 18, 2005

so just tighten them down until they just snug up them im assuming? also, i mentioned using some rtv between the cork and valve cover. is this a good or bad idea?

txwoody · May 18, 2005

http://www.boxwrench.net/specs/ford_289_302-5.0.htm

Here is some info.

84convertablegt · May 18, 2005

the problem is what is tight???? so they dont move or just so they arent free to turn by hand? the bolts that were in there turned easily with a socket wrench in the tightening direction. i suppose ill hope i get it right. seems like the rubber mr. gasket ultraseals might have been a better investment

84convertablegt · May 18, 2005

txwoody said:
http://www.boxwrench.net/specs/ford_289_302-5.0.htm

Here is some info.

thats just cool

69Rcode_Mach1 · May 18, 2005

I always just snug them up. I had some leaks last year I just got new ones and snugged them up going from inside to out and never had a problem again.

Max Power · May 18, 2005

Request the rubber gaskets. You can re-use them.

65ShelbyClone · May 19, 2005

I just hold the ratchet with the extension sticking out beween my index and middle fingers so I'm just using my wrist to limit torque. Think along the lines of tightening floatbowls. You could also use some latemodel 5.0 metal/silicone gaskets. My new cork felpros have metal rings in the bolt holds to keep the gasket from being squeezed beyond a certain point.

2nd Mustang · May 19, 2005

Put some gasket dressing between the new gasket and the covers only. Do not use silicone between the gasket and the head, it will cause the gasket to slip. I use a nut driver so as to not overtorque the bolts. I also use those torque spreaders under the bolts to help spread out the torque around the bolt holes in the covers. They can be found at the auto parts stores.

ddonaca351 · May 20, 2005

Spend the big bucks (like 30) and get a set of the blue rubber ones with the metal inserts in the bolt holes, so they cant be overtightened (within reason....). They also have a thin metal layer in them so the rubber cant "squirt" out to one side or the other. They are also re-useable (Ive had mine off 2-3 times and they are fine) If I would have bought cork at like 8 bucks a set, I would have spent the same amount of money by now anyhow, and had alot more agrivation along the way....

Dave-

Whats the torque for valve cover bolts?

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