I was putting my motor back together and was checking the torque on the bolts for the rocker arms and it says 20 foot pounds. Is that really enough to keep the bolts from vibrating loose.

 

if International didn't think so,they would tell ya 21 instead of 20.
thousands of 'em lasting hundreds of thousands of miles over the years.many original engines still out there.no threads floating around about loosening rocker bolts being a common concern for the engine.in Navistar we trust.

 

My 7.3 has 377k miles, and the valve covers have never been off the engine!


Yes they do leak....pretty bad lol.

 

Believe me don't over do it! When I put mine together the first time I had the wrench set at 40 ( had used it for something else) and forgot to reset it. Needless to say SNAP!!!! luckly the bolts don't bottom out, it came out easy.

 

And you dont want them rockers clamped too tight in there or you would run the risk of floating valves and other not so fun stuff.

 

Definitly dont do that....i almost did when i was putting the 90 back togehter in the hotel parking lot when i had that valve problem....