Valve cover tightness
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: ma
Valve cover tightness
Replaced the gaskets 2-3 months ago ,alls well.Looking at the covers yesterday I decided to polish them up with mothers metal polish they came out great. Now I started the car and I have a ticking noise ,real loud loosened the covers and it quieted down some what, can the cork gaskets be reused? Or should they be replaced when ever you take the covers off? :confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Valve cover tightness (rdrman)
Are you serious? Cause if you had a ticking noise that was relieved by loosening the valve cover bolts then I would think that maybe your rocker arms are interfering with your valve covers. Did the ticking first begin after you tightened the covers?
I would get the cork gaskets, the thickest ones you can find. They come like 1/4" thick or more. You might need to get longer bolts for thicker gaskets. A thicker gasket will get the covers away from the rockers more. Glue them to the valve cover with 3M weather strip sealer. Dont use sealer against the head. As long as you dont over tighten them. They can be used again and again.
I would get the cork gaskets, the thickest ones you can find. They come like 1/4" thick or more. You might need to get longer bolts for thicker gaskets. A thicker gasket will get the covers away from the rockers more. Glue them to the valve cover with 3M weather strip sealer. Dont use sealer against the head. As long as you dont over tighten them. They can be used again and again.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Valve cover tightness (rdrman)
Does your motor have stock or aftermarket rocker arms? Also Stock covers on not? Based on what you say, i would be checkin that clearance issue and replacing my gaskets with the thickest you can find.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Valve cover tightness (rdrman)
I use Fel-Pro cork with my L82 aluminum covers and torque to 45in/lbs. Recheck a couple of times for the first couple of outings.
Been working for me for quite a while.
Been working for me for quite a while.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Re: Valve cover tightness (rdrman)
If you go with cork gaskets, you can just put sealant on the side between the gasket and the cover. That way, when you take them off, they stay in place and won't rip.
I bought fel-pro rubber gaskets. They work great!
I bought fel-pro rubber gaskets. They work great!
