<VV> Re: bolts loosening

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/4/2005 9:57:38 AM Pacific Daylight Time,  
djtcz at comcast.net writes:

But on a  gasketed surface it would merely keep the bolt from un-winding when 
the gasket  crept after initial compression.  This would keep the situation 
from  getting worse, but the initial gasket compression can be pretty  
significant. <snipped>   Pressed steel pans and covers usually need local 
straightening first, which  suggests to me they need reinforcement (like the valve cover 
clamps) to  provide even clamping.
 
 
I agree. My system for stock valve cover retaining is to glue the  
cork/composite gasket to the clean valve cover, let it sit overnight on a flat  surface 
with a stack of books on it so the gasket will be seated, then grease  the 
face of it and install it over studs on the head. I install the clamps then  tall 
hex nuts which are drilled across the open top for safety wiring. I torque  
the nut down to the point where a fingernail will just fit between the holddown 
 clamp and the cover, then safety wire each upper and lower pair together. 
Even  if the gasket does compress some, the preload on the holddown clamp will 
retain  the pressure on the gasket face. With the greased face, the gasket 
always comes  off with the valve cover, allowing easy valve adjustment access. I 
have never  had one leak.  - Seth Emerson