Valve cover hold-down tabs
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
Valve cover hold-down tabs
Hi everyone,
My question is about the valve cover hold-down tabs for my 390 engine. I'm looking to buy some long tabs, but can only find the small triangle shaped tabs. Need something to help hold the corners down tighter. All the long ones I've seen are for Chebby's. Anyone know where I can get some long tabs to fit Ford valve covers?
Thank You
My question is about the valve cover hold-down tabs for my 390 engine. I'm looking to buy some long tabs, but can only find the small triangle shaped tabs. Need something to help hold the corners down tighter. All the long ones I've seen are for Chebby's. Anyone know where I can get some long tabs to fit Ford valve covers?
Thank You
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Centreville USA
Why do you need them? They were not used on stock engines, just a flat washer with a bolt. Are you having problems with leaks? What gaskets are you using? Are you using rtv in the corners where the heads meet the intake manifold to seal that slight gap? Are the bolt holes in the valve covers distorted? They can be hammered flat carefully.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
You should always make sure the valve covers aren't bent at the bolt hole. This needs to be check everytime the covers are off and never over torque the bolts, it just bends the covers again, causing the leaks or making a leak worse.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
I agree thats the #1 problem is useing warped covers...and not checking for straightness.... and as Bear mentioned Dimpled bolt holes... and after being in the trade for well over 30 years ... I still see professional wrench's to this day over tightening Valve covers.... JMO...
RJ
RJ
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 32
tabs
Hi everyone,
My question is about the valve cover hold-down tabs for my 390 engine. I'm looking to buy some long tabs, but can only find the small triangle shaped tabs. Need something to help hold the corners down tighter. All the long ones I've seen are for Chebby's. Anyone know where I can get some long tabs to fit Ford valve covers?
Thank You
My question is about the valve cover hold-down tabs for my 390 engine. I'm looking to buy some long tabs, but can only find the small triangle shaped tabs. Need something to help hold the corners down tighter. All the long ones I've seen are for Chebby's. Anyone know where I can get some long tabs to fit Ford valve covers?
Thank You
I think you need the Pontiac tabs. If i recall, they have a different hole size than the chebby's.
Tim
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
hi, check the condition of your rocker cover's, maybe the flanges are distorted and require repairing, large spreader washers are not usualy needed
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
Welcome to FTE Doozer75. The valve covers I was using since this post have been replaced and upgraded to the cast aluminum Cobra Lemans style that have a much thicker flange on them. No problems with these newer ones.
OJ
OJ
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