Changing valve cover gaskets
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
Changing valve cover gaskets
This is probably like changing oil to alot of you guys. But I have never changed the gaskets and have a slight leak from one side. Looks like its just a matter of taking four bolts out, changing gasket and putting new gasket in place. Is it really that easy? Don't have a torque wrench, so suppose its just nice and tight, rather and down really tight. Already have Felpro rubber gaskets.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Very easy process.
Unbolt the cover, clean the bolts, and clean the covers of any old gasket material. Make sure they are true by setting them on a flat surface and watching for uneven areas where it rocks.
Clean any old gasket material off of the head where the two meet, and make sure it's free of oil or contaminants.
Install the rubber gasket into the cover and place it on to the head. Using RTV is up to you at first. If you have a bad seal with dry rubber gaskets, you will need to pull the cover, and lay down a thin bead of RTV on the cover side of the gasket. Mate the two and let it cure. Then, bolt it down.
Start in the middle, top, then bottom, and move outward in a spiral motion until you tighten the outer most bolts. If you don't have a torque wrench, just make sure they are snug and tight, but not too tight. You don't want to squish the gasket.
After a few hours of at temp running, re-check and tighten any bolts that may have loosened.
That's it.
Unbolt the cover, clean the bolts, and clean the covers of any old gasket material. Make sure they are true by setting them on a flat surface and watching for uneven areas where it rocks.
Clean any old gasket material off of the head where the two meet, and make sure it's free of oil or contaminants.
Install the rubber gasket into the cover and place it on to the head. Using RTV is up to you at first. If you have a bad seal with dry rubber gaskets, you will need to pull the cover, and lay down a thin bead of RTV on the cover side of the gasket. Mate the two and let it cure. Then, bolt it down.
Start in the middle, top, then bottom, and move outward in a spiral motion until you tighten the outer most bolts. If you don't have a torque wrench, just make sure they are snug and tight, but not too tight. You don't want to squish the gasket.
After a few hours of at temp running, re-check and tighten any bolts that may have loosened.
That's it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Torque wrench wouldn't do you any good at all Larry, since they are usually 1/2 inch drive! They do make 1/4 inch drive ones that measure inch-pounds rather than foot-pounds, but few of us have them. Just use common sense when you tighten them.
Also: While they are off, check the covers to make sure they are flat. AFter you scrape the old gasket off, lay them the concrete floor of your garage and check to see if the cover is warped. If it is, then some persuasion with a small ball-peen hammer can re flatten the gasket surface.
Don't worry there's no smoke and mirrors here! If you can pull the valve covers off, you can certainly stop up the leak.
Also: While they are off, check the covers to make sure they are flat. AFter you scrape the old gasket off, lay them the concrete floor of your garage and check to see if the cover is warped. If it is, then some persuasion with a small ball-peen hammer can re flatten the gasket surface.
Don't worry there's no smoke and mirrors here! If you can pull the valve covers off, you can certainly stop up the leak.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 735
From: Youngstown Ohio
Basically, yes, it's that easy......just follow the usual procedures, cleaning out old gasket material and don't go too tight on the new ones. I always seal the new ones to the valve covers, and use T-handle screw downs hand snugged.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Dundee MI
Hi Larry,
The intake manifold on the 82 makes the whole process a bit more interesting. Mostly just takes patience as you'll need to remove some of the A.I.R. components to get the clearance needed to remove the valve covers. The shop manual does a pretty good job of describing the what needs to be removed.
The intake manifold on the 82 makes the whole process a bit more interesting. Mostly just takes patience as you'll need to remove some of the A.I.R. components to get the clearance needed to remove the valve covers. The shop manual does a pretty good job of describing the what needs to be removed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I always take a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, extention and 3/8 inch socket, and tighten the valve cover bolts with one hand only, that way you prevent tightening them too much, but as others have said, yes it's pretty easy. If you have to unplug any wires or remove any emission hoses to get the valve covers off, just be sure to mark them so you know which reconnects to which.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
All of this advice is good,here's a couple more tips.Make sure the cover is straight at the bolt holes,over torque usually deforms them.If you can find them,use the spreader bars to even the load at the holes.Use weatherstrip cement to glue the gasket to the cover,that should be the only sealer that you need,otherwise you will have a hell of a time cleaning the heads off next time.Most importantly,don't over tighten them or you will be repeating this process again!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
My 82....3 hours and 1 broken bolt later......left side is fairly easy...right side is a pain in the backside. A lot of crap in the way that you will need to remove and manuever around. Try tightening them first and see if that stops the leak....Dont over tighten or you will snap a bolt. Snug is good enough.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 11
From: NV
Hey Hey Fellow Forum Buddy:
Check out this link to my recent issue with valve cover bolts, leaks and gaskets......BEWARE, things are not always as easy as they sound....especially if Mr. Murphy gets involved.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1618806
Check out this link to my recent issue with valve cover bolts, leaks and gaskets......BEWARE, things are not always as easy as they sound....especially if Mr. Murphy gets involved.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1618806
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
Now you guys are making me nervous.
Left side looks straightforward.
Right side requires unbolting and moving aside a bit of emission controls, but doesn't look like I am totally disassembling the engine.
Once removed to the side, shouldn't the right side be somewhat just as straight forward?
Left side looks straightforward.
Right side requires unbolting and moving aside a bit of emission controls, but doesn't look like I am totally disassembling the engine.
Once removed to the side, shouldn't the right side be somewhat just as straight forward?