Broken valve cover gasket - Realgasket?

[flyingace]

I know the Realgasket is a reputable company, but I think their product broke my valve cover. Because the silicon gasket is so thick, tightening down one bolt to spec caused the metal to fracture next to the bolt. It was not a pleasant sound. I tightened the bolts slowly in sequence too, which I never did with my old paper gasket which worked just fine over and over.

This never occured with the thinner paper gasket. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Also, can the valve cover fracture be welded and machined smooth at the mating surfaces? I don't care what it looks like.

Thanks in advance.

[Nessism]

One other guy here had his cover welded and posted some photos. Seemed to turn out okay.

The real gasket needs to be torqued loosely - 15 in-lbs or something to this effect. How tight did you make the screws?

[flyingace]

My apologies to the Realgasket Co. I misread the torque spec and was slamming those bolts down at 15 ft/lbs. No wonder it broke.

[Nessism]

My apologies to the Realgasket Co. I misread the torque spec and was slamming those bolts down at 15 ft/lbs. No wonder it broke.

Bummer.

Checked ebay for valve covers and only found the early type - with the different bolt pattern. Welding may be easiest repair but don't forget to check the for sale forum section here anyway.

[chuckycheese]

Not me!

I would never, ever use those things! (I don't always use OEM, but I use something close to it.)8-[

By the way....why 15ft/lbs???? After you get a new valve cover, 7-9 ft/lbs will be just right.

[tkent02]

By the way....why 15ft/lbs???? After you get a new valve cover, 7-9 ft/lbs will be just right.

Not with this gasket.

[catbed]

that was me who got it welded. ill try to find the thread around here.

edit: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ht=valve+cover

p.s. its an honor to have done something that is remembered by Nessism:-D:-D

[flyingace]

that was me who got it welded. ill try to find the thread around here.

edit: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ht=valve+cover

p.s. its an honor to have done something that is remembered by Nessism:-D:-D

Thanks everybody. I can't tell for sure, but this crack almost looks to be in the same place as mine. I think I can find another cover, but it's good to know that welding works.

Maybe I'll get the idiot-of-the-month award. It's so irritating to think how easily this could have been avoided.

[Nessism]

that was me who got it welded. ill try to find the thread around here.

edit: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ht=valve+cover

p.s. its an honor to have done something that is remembered by Nessism:-D:-D

Oh I remember, just too lazy to dig around and find the link. Thanks for chiming in with the url.

In terms of flyingace's assertion that "Maybe I'll get the idiot-of-the-month award", just remember, it's only a mistake if you do it wrong TWO times. The first time is a "learning experience".

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[flyingace]

Oh I remember, just too lazy to dig around and find the link. Thanks for chiming in with the url.

In terms of flyingace's assertion that "Maybe I'll get the idiot-of-the-month award", just remember, it's only a mistake if you do it wrong TWO times. The first time is a "learning experience".

.

I've read instructions more than twice before - I should get that award.

[Steve]

.. it's only a mistake if you do it wrong TWO times. The first time is a "learning experience".

Gettin' close there, Ness.

EXPERIENCE is recognizing a mistake when you do it again. :-\"

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