Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
#1
Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
Hey all,
Is there a good way to tighten down my centerbolt valve covers? Mine leak around the rear lip and I've loosened and re-tightened them several times to try and get them to re-seat but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any idea on how to get them to seal better?
Is there a good way to tighten down my centerbolt valve covers? Mine leak around the rear lip and I've loosened and re-tightened them several times to try and get them to re-seat but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any idea on how to get them to seal better?
#2
Supreme Member
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I've only had factory ones leak that I intended on replacing. The felpro gaskets on my 92 have been on and off probably a couple dozen times and they still seal well. I normally start the threads on all 4 and tighten the inner two first. I'm sure I didn't do that in that order every time and still never had a leak. Did you check the surface of the cover and the head ridge?
#4
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Car: 1987 GTA, 91 1LE TA
Engine: 5.7L
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
Good quality gaskets and check that the valve cover lip isn't bent upward. Sometimes they get bent, easy to do. Also make sure gasket is staying in the correct location and not slipping out when being installed.
#5
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
i've had centerbolt valve covers that had the gasket totally burnt out that didn't leak- i was absolutely shocked when i pulled the rusted driver's side valve cover off the 87 Caprice cop car i had way back when and found no gasket at all on the side by the exhaust manifold.... you must have a bent valve cover flange easy enough to check, and easy enough to fix.
#7
Supreme Member
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
My center-bolt valve covers were sealed with black RTV from the factory.
since the oil in the valve train is not under pressure per say and you have a PCV system you don't need to over-tighten the valve cover bolts, just snug them.
Odds are you over-did it and bent the flanges on the valve cover causing the leak.
since the oil in the valve train is not under pressure per say and you have a PCV system you don't need to over-tighten the valve cover bolts, just snug them.
Odds are you over-did it and bent the flanges on the valve cover causing the leak.
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#8
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
My center-bolt valve covers were sealed with black RTV from the factory.
since the oil in the valve train is not under pressure per say and you have a PCV system you don't need to over-tighten the valve cover bolts, just snug them.
Odds are you over-did it and bent the flanges on the valve cover causing the leak.
since the oil in the valve train is not under pressure per say and you have a PCV system you don't need to over-tighten the valve cover bolts, just snug them.
Odds are you over-did it and bent the flanges on the valve cover causing the leak.
#9
Supreme Member
iTrader: (14)
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
There should be tubes that the bolts run through in the valve cover that prevent both over tightening and oil getting up to the bolt heads. At least all GM centerbolts I've had were that way. None of mine have grommets, just washers or large faced bolt heads.
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
Hey all,
Is there a good way to tighten down my centerbolt valve covers? Mine leak around the rear lip and I've loosened and re-tightened them several times to try and get them to re-seat but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any idea on how to get them to seal better?
Is there a good way to tighten down my centerbolt valve covers? Mine leak around the rear lip and I've loosened and re-tightened them several times to try and get them to re-seat but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any idea on how to get them to seal better?
- You aren't tightening them down
- The rubber gasket is shot and should be replaced
- The valve cover is bent in a way thats preventing it from sealing.
#13
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Good way to tighten down centerbolt valve covers?
aftermarket valve covers look cool while the hood is open, but unless you've got some valvetrain stuff going on that requires extra clearance you are better off with factory parts every time. hell, you have been able to get full roller rocker arms that fit under the stock covers for 20 years now since GM had Crane develop 1.6 roller rockers for the LT4 Corvettes that came out in 1995 as 1996 model year cars..
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