Valve Cover LBS of Torque - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Inklover17 · 03-20-2008, 12:08 AM

I'm changing my valve cover gaskets tomorow and am wondering how many lbs of torque to torque them down and also the little metal pieces do they go on the inside or the outside I mean the little bracket things that go on top of the covers but under the bolts you torque thanks.

cdowns · 03-20-2008, 12:57 AM

less than 10ft lbs of torque//most important is to check with a straight edge and see if the holes are dimpled down from being overtightened as that is a major cause of valve cover leaks

Premium72 · 03-20-2008, 02:13 AM

???...
not all that tight at all. ive never heard anyone ask ft lbs of torque on VC's. like he said make sure the gaskets on there nice an skraight, the other parts your talkn about go on top of the covers under the bolts. thier to spread out the tension on the edges of the covers to keep a good seal . good luck. dont over think it!

Musclerodz · 03-20-2008, 05:06 AM

INCHES NOT POUNDS! number one reason why old school covers leak. Overtighten and they distort. I would snug them and go another half turn. Check for leaks.

Sinister · 03-20-2008, 05:19 AM

5 lb/ft. I usually just use a 1/4 drive ratchet and snug them down, not too much though...

corn · 03-20-2008, 05:21 AM

Id say 3-4 ft lbs...

AustinScott · 03-20-2008, 06:12 AM

nice. I just did this about 45 minutes ago. I used 1/4" ratchet until they where snug, then gave them another 1/4 turn.

NOTE: I changed out the old cork gaskets with the Mr.gasket rubber style, so this info might not work with the cork style.

I over tightened the old cork ones & the passenger front side under the AC compressor blew out, OIL everywhere!!
Luckily I was only about 2 blocks form the house, Damn burn outs! always screwing things up!

piecesparts · 03-20-2008, 06:06 AM

I use a nutdriver or a socket on the end of hand drive and tighten to a good SNUG.

corn · 03-20-2008, 06:17 AM

the rubber gaskets are nice. its all Ill use anymore...

Inklover17 · 03-20-2008, 06:50 AM

I am using the FEL-PRO rubber type might just get new valve covers so I know there not dimpled.

**El Jay** · 03-21-2008, 09:53 AM

The first time I replace valve cover gaskets on an engine, I toss the bolts away.

I replace the bolts with 1/4" x 20 studs in the heads.
Then I just set the gaskets over the studs, install the valve covers, & "nut" them.

The gaskets are already lined up, etc.

brad_man_72 · 03-22-2008, 03:44 AM

is their any problems with grinding the casting texture smooth. besides getting a bunch of crap in the engine.

LONGHAIR · 03-22-2008, 03:54 AM

Quote:

besides getting a bunch of crap in the engine.

...........and that isn't enough?

brad_man_72 · 03-25-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

...........and that isn't enough?

if the heads are off, torn down, and you clean the crap out. then would it be a bad idea?

not van hagar

*Shane* · 03-22-2008, 04:38 AM

7 ft. lbs ... use a nut driver and you'll be golden.

03-20-2008, 12:08 AM	#1
Inklover17 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Altus Posts: 17	Valve Cover LBS of Torque I'm changing my valve cover gaskets tomorow and am wondering how many lbs of torque to torque them down and also the little metal pieces do they go on the inside or the outside I mean the little bracket things that go on top of the covers but under the bolts you torque thanks.

03-20-2008, 12:57 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque less than 10ft lbs of torque//most important is to check with a straight edge and see if the holes are dimpled down from being overtightened as that is a major cause of valve cover leaks __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-20-2008, 02:13 AM	#3
Premium72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Villa Rica Ga Posts: 889	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque ???... not all that tight at all. ive never heard anyone ask ft lbs of torque on VC's. like he said make sure the gaskets on there nice an skraight, the other parts your talkn about go on top of the covers under the bolts. thier to spread out the tension on the edges of the covers to keep a good seal . good luck. dont over think it! __________________ WombatFire, Art-Design-MADNESS Follow My Build and Adventures on Instagram

03-20-2008, 05:06 AM	#4
Musclerodz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,364	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque INCHES NOT POUNDS! number one reason why old school covers leak. Overtighten and they distort. I would snug them and go another half turn. Check for leaks. __________________ Mike Redpath

03-20-2008, 05:19 AM	#5
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque 5 lb/ft. I usually just use a 1/4 drive ratchet and snug them down, not too much though... __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

03-20-2008, 05:21 AM	#6
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque Id say 3-4 ft lbs...

03-20-2008, 06:12 AM	#7
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque nice. I just did this about 45 minutes ago. I used 1/4" ratchet until they where snug, then gave them another 1/4 turn. NOTE: I changed out the old cork gaskets with the Mr.gasket rubber style, so this info might not work with the cork style. I over tightened the old cork ones & the passenger front side under the AC compressor blew out, OIL everywhere!! Luckily I was only about 2 blocks form the house, Damn burn outs! always screwing things up!

03-20-2008, 06:06 AM	#8
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque I use a nutdriver or a socket on the end of hand drive and tighten to a good SNUG.

03-20-2008, 06:17 AM	#9
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque the rubber gaskets are nice. its all Ill use anymore...

03-20-2008, 06:50 AM	#10
Inklover17 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Altus Posts: 17	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque I am using the FEL-PRO rubber type might just get new valve covers so I know there not dimpled.

03-21-2008, 09:53 AM	#11
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque The first time I replace valve cover gaskets on an engine, I toss the bolts away. I replace the bolts with 1/4" x 20 studs in the heads. Then I just set the gaskets over the studs, install the valve covers, & "nut" them. The gaskets are already lined up, etc. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

03-22-2008, 03:44 AM	#12
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque is their any problems with grinding the casting texture smooth. besides getting a bunch of crap in the engine. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

03-22-2008, 04:38 AM	#15
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Valve Cover LBS of Torque 7 ft. lbs ... use a nut driver and you'll be golden.



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