should i get new o rings for the valve cover bolts or can i put gasket sealer on he bolts?or will using the old ones still be ok?

 

if i tightened the bolts too tight is it too late and have to get new gaskets and do it again?havent got the other one on yet but i think i tightened the first cover too tight!

 

O-rings? Are those used on the I-6? 'haven't encountered them on a V8.

In any case, if overtightened the gasket will split and ya prolly also deformed the flange. Do some hammer and dolly work and get it flat.

Remove all traces of old RTV and wipe the flange with brake cleaner or other non-oily solvent. Now apply a thin line of RTV to the flange and also around the bolt holes. Let it set for about 10 minutes to outgas, and then apply the gasket. If any RTV squeezes out, then ya used too much. A little goes a long way.

Now place the valve cover on the head and snug it down. It's supposed to be evenly snug, not gorilla-tight.

 

ok ill get the other cover on tomorow and see if im leaking.if so then its a good excuse to get pretty new chrome covers! ha ha ha!

 

Use load spreaders, you won't "dimple" the bolt holes if you over torque the bolts....and as the name implies, they spread the load.....good things.

 

i put the covers back on now it wont turn over.its making an electrical grinding sound!weird! im so confused,did i do it wrong or did something get disconnected somewhere?

 

Won't turn over, or won't start. If it won't even turn over, your starter is not engaging. I can't think of something related to the valve cover that would cause that. If it turns over but doesn't start, check all your plug/distributor wires you may have knocked something loose.

 

wont turn over,sounds like an electric grinding sound.
how do i check the starter?can i jump the starter?

 

Battery might just be weak. You'll hear a weird sound like that if it is weak. Try jump starting it.

 

Weak/dead battery, corroded/broken cables, bad/loose ground....the fact you just messed with the rocker covers is probably just coincidental (or not).