valve cover gaskets
Thread Starter
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 1
From: Louisville KY
valve cover gaskets
I need to replace them on my 98.
I'm a little confused.
When did they start selling single gaskets? I always thought they came in pairs.
I have the perimeter bolts. I want to get new grommets/seals for them.
Everything out there comes in packages of 8. I have 9 bolts.
Can you buy them individually?
It seems parts for the 97-98's are hard to come by sometimes.
I'm a little confused.
When did they start selling single gaskets? I always thought they came in pairs.
I have the perimeter bolts. I want to get new grommets/seals for them.
Everything out there comes in packages of 8. I have 9 bolts.
Can you buy them individually?
It seems parts for the 97-98's are hard to come by sometimes.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
There should only be 4 valve cover bolts per side
theyre the 4 bolts Running parallel with the long sides of the cover, in the middle of each. Any other bolt would just be for coil brackets, not actually the valve cover.
theyre the 4 bolts Running parallel with the long sides of the cover, in the middle of each. Any other bolt would just be for coil brackets, not actually the valve cover.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,430
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From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
I think when you see the 8 grommets that would be for the center bolt covers. The gasket for the ‘97 & ‘98 I think is installed on the inside of the perimeter bolts anyway so the grommets for the bolts won’t actually do any sealing. I have a ‘98 but I’ll have to wait and check when I get home in the morning from work to be sure on how they’re mounted. I haven’t had mine off for a while so I can’t recall off hand.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Interesting I never knew that early cars had perimeter bolts instead of the 4 in the center. Both my ls6 and ls1 out of a Camaro have the 4. Guess I need more time with early cars 
so then to the OP, ensure you have the right valve cover gaskets!
so then to the OP, ensure you have the right valve cover gaskets!
Thread Starter
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 1
From: Louisville KY
Thanks for the replies.
dbgoodwin, I'm good with the gaskets.
mstromquist, I took a real close look at the bolts. Each one has a metal washer with a rubber/poly bushing. I want to replace them after I spotted some oil around them. I tried to remove a bolt and it wouldn't let me pull it out. I tried another bolt and it would unscrew but not release to come out. I've changed v c gaskets before but never ran into something like this. LOL.
dbgoodwin, I'm good with the gaskets.
mstromquist, I took a real close look at the bolts. Each one has a metal washer with a rubber/poly bushing. I want to replace them after I spotted some oil around them. I tried to remove a bolt and it wouldn't let me pull it out. I tried another bolt and it would unscrew but not release to come out. I've changed v c gaskets before but never ran into something like this. LOL.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
Thanks for the replies.
dbgoodwin, I'm good with the gaskets.
mstromquist, I took a real close look at the bolts. Each one has a metal washer with a rubber/poly bushing. I want to replace them after I spotted some oil around them. I tried to remove a bolt and it wouldn't let me pull it out. I tried another bolt and it would unscrew but not release to come out. I've changed v c gaskets before but never ran into something like this. LOL.
dbgoodwin, I'm good with the gaskets.
mstromquist, I took a real close look at the bolts. Each one has a metal washer with a rubber/poly bushing. I want to replace them after I spotted some oil around them. I tried to remove a bolt and it wouldn't let me pull it out. I tried another bolt and it would unscrew but not release to come out. I've changed v c gaskets before but never ran into something like this. LOL.
While I feel that this is "wimping out", it also creates a unique situation. When you buy new gaskets, the parts stores have a reasonable "turn over" of their inventory, so the gaskets you buy, are usually "fresh", therefore pliable. Grommets, since many people "wimp out" and reuse them, can get dried out, while sitting on the store's shelf, and when you go to install them on the bolts, they'll tear. I had this happen, a couple of years ago. If you choose to replace the grommets, which I suggest, inspect the new one carefully, and make sure they're not dried out. Also, soak them in hot water, before installing them on the bolts. This makes them pliable, and far easier to slip on the bolts.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
I don't remember the p/n, off hand, but FelPro has them in their catalog, as a separate item. IIRC, they're sold in a package of 8.