Valve cover Bolt's& Gasket

[Spun4Fun]

i replaced the VC on my 93 7.3 already once , I got torque happy with the bolt's on the passenger side , I couldn't get it to stop gushing oil over the exhaust so i bought another set, replaced passenger side only and found one post that Torque should be set between 6lbft-8 . Local shop say 10-12 Max.. I put a thin layer of cooper RTV on the VC only. It seems with my luck the simple job no longer simple

The new gasket is in place and all bolts are dry except one at the farthest left near the corner of the cover .. It was loose so i snugged it but did not put force . Any trick to it before i keep on trying and i end up over doing it again.

 

[BDCarrillo]

Flip the little retainer over. They are supposed to spread the clamping force out a bit and need to curve away from the head of the bolt.

 

[icanfixall]

The torque spreaders under the bolts sometimes take a curve and will make a dent in the valve cover sealing surface. The cover needs to be flat and straight along that sealing surface. A body hammer or most any small hammer will take the dent out. I use the copper RTV on both sides of the gasket too. No leaks now it 8 years. Remember that the oil pan gasket is nothing but RTV so you know it works IF... The sealing surfaces are clean. Most here will use brakclean to make sure the seal surfaces on these engines is absolutely clean. That brakclean will not leave a film either.

 

[Spun4Fun]

So what you saying is i could flip that triangle washer , Should i take the cover off again and apply RTV on the gasket mating the head ?

 

[Spun4Fun]

i canfixall ..What dent you are referring to ...

 

[junk]

I know I was surprised at how firm 6-8ftlb felt. I torqued them the first time by feel. Then I bought a torque wrench that would go low enough and checked them and they were all under torqued. I normally assemble stuff dry without added RTV when I have a gasket. I definitely don't have the longevity of proof to show it made a leak proof seal. If they leak then I'll RTV as Gary suggests.

-Jeremy

 

[IDIoit]

that dent he refers to is the washer.
when you over torque them, you bend the washers, tabs, the little triangle thingies, whatever you wanna call em'
make sure there all flat.
rtv to the head can be done as a last resort, but makes for a hell of a time getting them off.

 

[chris142]

Make sure that the area where the bolts go through the valve cover is flat.

 

[Spun4Fun]

right On . Got it . Heading to get a small torque wrench as it's been long over due for one . I will check the washer triangle thingy and report back

 

[OLDBULL8]

Super smooth Super Clean

Your sig, not mine.
Get the rubber gasket, not the cork.

 

[Spun4Fun]

.. Yah my sig not working with this Truck at all . It seems to apply to the 2 wheel world

Yes i bought the FEL-PRO rubber gasket

 

[Spun4Fun]

Amazing what a 72inch LB per bolt seems to do . In fact it felt a lot and there is no way i could of done it with hand and feel . FINALLY the green machine is bone dry during Idle and rev up .. . I am hoping my test drive goes well


You guys rock

 

[riotwarrior]

NON leaking VC gasket tips...yer call ifn you choose to go this far!

Each BOLT must be sugically clean and each bolt hole in head must be sugically clean Those bolt holes are a nemesis and MUST BE oil free...LOTS of brake clean or what have you but super super super surgically clean!

Each VC gasket surface on the covers and the heads them selves must be surgically clean! VC must be straight not warped.

Now apply elephant snot on gasket surface of VC also some on head surface where VC gasket goes, get a small amount into those incredibly clean bolt holes....work it in!

Now place gasket on head, place cover and and carefully apply a drop or two of elephant snot on bolts....snug up bolts to required torque. Let set for 24 hrs if possible.

Now you should be leak free...but the KEY is cleaner than anything you can imagine. If any oil is in a bolt hole the sealant won't stick like it should...

You can use RTV but for me elephant snot is my preferred technique....

JM2CW

In case you don't get it...It must be surgically clean...cleaner than that actually....