Valve cover torque specifications?

[frijoles-and-beans]

I’m replacing a valve cover gasket along with the four half-moon gaskets because of a leak. What’s the recommended torque on the valve cover? I don’t even have a torque wrench, but if it’s critical, I’ll buy one. Can I eyeball the torque? Let me know.

[JEEPRUSTY]

I’m replacing a valve cover gasket along with the four half-moon gaskets because of a leak. What’s the recommended torque on the valve cover? I don’t even have a torque wrench, but if it’s critical, I’ll buy one. Can I eyeball the torque? Let me know.

Spec should be in the manual.
it is likely so low a regular torque wrench will not help.
Just enough for clamping and sealing. Beware stripping them out.

[frijoles-and-beans]

Just enough for clamping and sealing.

That's what I figured. I just wanted to be sure.

[Steve]

Put a 10mm socket on a screwdriver-type driver, put some 10w-30 on the handle, grip it loosely, tighten the bolts.

No, really, it doesn't take much more than that.

.

[Nessism]

I recommend using a 1/4" ratchet handle and snug all the bolts evenly, working from inside to out, going back and forth on both sides. No heavy handed stuff.

[nitro3custom]

You'd be suprised at how little tourqe it takes to strip some bolts out. I have an inch pounds for some of the stuff and without it I would have put a lot more on. That's probably why so many 6mm's are stripped.

[frijoles-and-beans]

I did it like you guys suggested. I will not be able to tell you how it went until I get my new gas tank. I put some gasket sealer around the half-moons, but nothing on the valve cover gasket. Dang mailman; I thought he was bringing my tank today.

[rapidray]

If you don't already have a torque wrench, go buy one. It is one of the tools you NEED to have in your box. That said, 7 ft lbs is the torque for the valve cover bolts, or 84 inch lbs. Ray.

[Steve]

I put some gasket sealer around the half-moons, ...

Hopefully only on the curved portions.

.

[frijoles-and-beans]

Hopefully only on the curved portions.

.

I smeared it on the straight edge too. I thought it would make a better seal, and even if it doesn't, I don't think there are any adverse affects either way.

[JEEPRUSTY]

I smeared it on the straight edge too. I thought it would make a better seal, and even if it doesn't, I don't think there are any adverse effects either way.

Whatever you do. DO NOT attempt to correct a leak simply by tightening.
You will deform a rubber gasket this way and strip bolt holes.

You will be sad when this happens. I was very sad indeed!.
I use permatex aircraft sealer on gaskets. Resist oil and cleans easily in rubbing alcohol. It actually a lot like tar very odd stuff. A little dab'll do yah.

[frijoles-and-beans]

About 3 weeks ago, before I fixed it I tightened it, but just enough for it to leak very little. It should be a good seal now. I'll find out soon.

[Steve]

I smeared it on the straight edge too. I thought it would make a better seal, and even if it doesn't, I don't think there are any adverse effects either way.

No real "adverse [a]ffects", just that it will be much more likely to tear the gasket, since it will be stuck to the half-moons.

.

[1_v8_merc]

I really didn't want my valve gasket to leak again, so I basically RTV'ed around the entire outside of it,.

It doesn't exactly look pretty, but then again, I'm not in it to win a beauty contest!

I RTV'ed the outside of my Half-moons too!

If you think that's bad, I have RTV patching up my exhaust too........

[7981GS]

I have been watching the post count go up and up on this thread assuming that
the FIRST one to answer said 84 inch pounds so therefore no reason to read it or post a reply myself.
I cannot believe that until Ray posted, all of the answers were WRONG!
What is happening around here these days anyway?

Daniel