Chrome 351W Valve Covers Leak! |
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AWhite70
Senior Member Joined: March-05-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 242 |
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Posted: July-23-2004 at 10:48am |
Going on memory I believe the torque spec. is 3-5 lbft. It isn't much, and is very easy to over do.
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David F
Platinum Member Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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If you over torqued the sheel metal covers, then you must remove the covers and use a ball-peen hammer to flatten out the bolt holes. Go ahead and make the hole convex when viewed from the top. Buy the load spreaders or make your own, but just tighten the bolts snug (guessing, but no more than 6 ft-lbs). Cork gaskets will work fine. Glue the gasket to the valve cover with weatherstrip adhesive to prevent the gasket from shifting and causing a leak.
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Tranner
Newbie Joined: May-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Thanks for all of the replies. Yep, I probably over torqued them. Is there a specific torque rating I should be using?
As for the gaskets, I've been told to use cork but if everyone agrees that rubber is better, I'll go that route. |
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AWhite70
Senior Member Joined: March-05-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 242 |
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I use aluminum covers because I've never found a stamped steel cover that doesn't leak. I also use a steel core rubber gasket instead of cork.
This joint is very sensitive to torque as well, overtorque and you're sure to have a leak. |
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79nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872 |
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I use hold-down tabs on mine and have no leaks. The tabs spread out the load and seal much better. I bought two different styles one long and one short, the short ones are for the corners and the long one are used everywhere else.
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64 Skier
Senior Member Joined: February-08-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 415 |
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Are they the sheet metal covers? If so, overtorquing the bolts warps the metal and the leak is worse.
If they are warped and sheet metal, let me know, we can fix them without $'s. |
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Tranner
Newbie Joined: May-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Does anyone have any special tricks for the aftermarket chrome valve covers on the 351 Windsor? Mine continue to leak. I've tried everything to fix them but they just leak and leak and leak oil.
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