Valve Cover Torque...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Valve Cover Torque...
This is for an '86. What do you guys torque your valve covers at? I keep seeing 80 ft lbs or 120 ft lbs. Both seem high to me, but who am I to disagree? I'm the one with the leaking valve covers...
Thanks!
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 591
From: New Port Richey FL
After Calculations check
80" pounds= 6.7ft.pounds
120" pounds=10ft. pounds
Last edited by s carter; Mar 27, 2017 at 06:34 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
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NOT FOOT POUNDS!!! your iron head 86 should be 50 INCH pounds (going by my 85's FSM). the hardware should be 1/4-20 with head mounted studs and the VC secured with nuts, washers, and wiring brackets. not sure what kind of gaskets you're using, but I had great success with fel-pro 1628 silicone rubber. the gaskets are .25" thick and you may need to go with slightly longer studs. moroso has the perfect replacements (PN 97020). with everything in place, and torqued to value, you should be seeing approximately 1.5 threads showing beyond the nut. 
Last edited by Joe C; Mar 27, 2017 at 06:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
NOT FOOT POUNDS!!! your iron head 86 should be 50 INCH pounds (going by my 85's FSM). the hardware should be 1/4-20 with head mounted studs and the VC secured with nuts, washers, and wiring brackets. not sure what kind of gaskets you're using, but I had great success with fel-pro 1628 silicone rubber. the gaskets are .25" thick and you may need to go with slightly longer studs. moroso has the perfect replacements (PN 97020). with everything in place, and torqued to value, you should be seeing approximately 1.5 threads showing beyond the nut.
I don't have the washers or brackets. Would that change things at all or have anything to do with my leak?
Using Fel-Pro Perma Dry. They look pretty similar to the ones you recommend, though maybe not silicone.
On the 1.5 threads showing...Is that with the washers, brackets, and 1628's you mention? Any guesses without the washers, brackets, and the perma dry instead...or are those washers/brackets a must?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 591
From: New Port Richey FL
so just Divide inch pounds by 12
or down load the Handyman App. from the Google App. Store.
for the bigger calculations like Newtons meters, 120" = 13.558 N.M.
Last edited by s carter; Mar 27, 2017 at 07:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
You're gonna hate to hear this, but for the most part I am a "by feel" kinda guy.
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 591
From: New Port Richey FL
I to am a by feel tightener that's why I said snug with a 1/4" drive choking up on the ratchet. you don't want to Squish out the Gasket just give a good compression, you can give a second Snug in a week or two but don't over tighten.
But the Big things Cranks,Heads, Dampeners, oil pumps. By the Book
Last edited by s carter; Mar 27, 2017 at 07:34 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
yes close enough 49.92 but who's counting let me find a Torque wrench that will find that missing 0.08
I to am a by feel tightener that's why I said snug with a 1/4" drive choking up on the ratchet. you don't want to Squish out the Gasket just give a good compression, you can give a second Snug in a week or two but don't over tighten
I to am a by feel tightener that's why I said snug with a 1/4" drive choking up on the ratchet. you don't want to Squish out the Gasket just give a good compression, you can give a second Snug in a week or two but don't over tighten
Thanks for confessing. It's okay...I have a feeling we're not alone, LoL. Years ago, torque wrench or not, I was just always a chronic overtightener...but I was the son of a chronic overtightener, so that's to be expected. After breaking so many, I just kinda learned to trust my "feel" instead...Guess it's kinda like "The Force" or something...but seems to serve me well most the time. I don't often have a problem with over or under tightening...but have plenty of other problems. I post on here like a madman! Plus, a torque wrench just isn't feasible for a lot of tight clearance areas. Valve covers, shouldn't be a problem though.
Yea, that's exactly what I used, and I just went snug on them. I have another set, and may try again. Driver's side is totally fine...not a drop. May just have to look more closely for any irregularities on surface and gasket again.
Thank you!