Valve cover 3/8 bolt torque
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Those would be HUGE valve cover bolts. Most are 1/4-20 .
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,549
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From: Glastonbury CT
Yes using a 3/8 socket but who torques them down because of using to much compression and flattening the cork gasket. I usually use rubber but wanted to use n.o.s. for inventory control.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
More small bolts are broken using a torque wrench than not. Too much leverage by over confident mechanics.
Just use a 3/8 drive ratchet in the palm of one hand and snug. What ever inch pounds is "snug", that's what you want.
Just use a 3/8 drive ratchet in the palm of one hand and snug. What ever inch pounds is "snug", that's what you want.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Oct 4, 2020 at 06:27 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
50 inch pounds is just over 4 foot pounds. 20 foot pounds is what a 1/4-20 bolt requires when solidly mating two pieces of a 'working' assembly. Apply that to aluminum valve covers and they will distort and maybe crack at the bolt holes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
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From: Western New York
Run each bolt in using the socket attached to an extension only. When you've tightened it with your thumb and index finger as far as you can, attach a ratchet and give it no more than a quarter of a turn. That way it's snug enough to eliminate oil leaks, and not so tight that it distorts and flattens out the cork gasket. Good luck.
Duane
Duane
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