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Valve gasket, help.

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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 05:09 PM
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Valve gasket, help.

So now only am I having tranny problems, but the valve gasket on the passenger side is making oil leak. Should I bother to tinker with this or just bring it to a shop? Should I get the other gasket on the drivers side replaced as well? Or is oil leaking out because I'm using synthetic oil?
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 05:13 PM
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Try just retorquing the bolts, the gaskets tend to colapse after time, I check my bolts at every oil change, hasn't leaked again in two years!
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 05:21 PM
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How many bolts, and how many ft lbs of torque?
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Agemenon
How many bolts, and how many ft lbs of torque?

Again go buy a manual and it will also help with your tranny problems.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 12:44 PM
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My question still wasn't answered yet, how many bolts are on the valve cover?
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 01:46 PM
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Same amount that are in the new gasket, sorry couldnt help it, 10 I think. 15 ft lbs depending on the manual.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Agemenon
My question still wasn't answered yet, how many bolts are on the valve cover?
9 bolts per side, take a look at the valve covers you should see 9 bolts going through the edges of the valve covers
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 02:59 PM
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9 bolts? Alright, umm...do you guys know off hand what the size of the bolts are so that I know what I'm looking for?
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 03:25 PM
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All of the ones on the edges of the rocker covers, the rocker covers are the inverted pans that cover the rockers, rockers are the do a majiggys that open and close the valves, the valves are what let air in and exhaust out. Air is what surrounds the engine.
The bolt size will match with the correct size wrench or socket you will find in your tool box if you know where to find it. Gezzzz. Sorry but I just had too!
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 03:29 PM
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Meh, nothing hard taken, you gotta learn somehow, however, I know what rockers and valves are for...I just needed to make sure. People make really dumb mistakes, and I'd like to avoid that as much as possible.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 09:10 PM
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If I remember right, the bolts are 1/4" and have 7/16" heads.
 
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 11:37 PM
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my valve cover bolts are all 1/2 inch. to do the pass valve cover I had to pull the alternator off and vacume pump and the fuel filter mount and everything just so i could get to the front bolt. mine is a 90 and the newer serpentine ones are easier to work on i think so it might be different for you.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2007 | 03:36 PM
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It's pretty hard to mess up taking off a valve cover. The bolts are all on the flange around the cover and real in real close. Try to keep as much crud out as you can. Make sure both surfaces are as clean as possible before reinstalling. The gaskets come in pairs. If you're worried about messing up, maybe just do the one side for now. That way you'll have a spare gasket for the second try. The bolts should come off pretty easy. If it takes more that a little effort (15 or 20 ft-lbs) then stop and regroup. Despite all the ribbing, it's better to ask than to make mistakes.

BTW I think the biggest mistake most people make with valve covers is over tightening them. If they're loose, then a little tighter is OK. But, a lot tighter will just bend them and then they will leak forever. Been there, done that

The other usual mistake is to put them on the wrong sides. Of course, I would never do that
 
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 03:16 AM
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So the best way to get at the valve cover is to take off the alternator and the vacuum pump to get to it all?
 
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