Valve Cover Bolts

[CAnderson1015]

I have to replace my valve cover gaskets and I don’t know the tourqe specs for the valve cover bolts or the intake manifold bolt. Does anyone know?

 

[Dirtman]

Not too tight.

 

[Bgunner]

Valve cover gaskets do not need to be torqued to a set specification. Snug is good. What ever is said in the manual will be rated in inch pounds of torque meaning you can use a 1/4 inch drive ratchet and easily over torque them. I have replaced many valve cover gaskets over the years, cork, rubber and rubber covered and never needed to torque them to keep them from leaking. On this part you are over thinking the process.

Snug them down, don't reef on them or you will snap the bolts. If you end up with a slight leak just snug down the bolts on both sides of the leak.

 

[superunknown98]

My old Chilton's Manual says 3-5Ft Lbs for the "rocker cover" bolts. Was that before they were called valve covers? lol

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

If you are using the Ford "thin stamped metal" valve covers its also important to flatten the bolt holes back to even/flat, they get bent down from over tightening so when you put them back on and tighten the bolt is puts pressure near the bolt hole but no pressure in between the holes

Or you can use "spreaders" and longer bolts to seal gasket between bolt holes

Cork gaskets seal better as they will swell up over time with contact with oil, but are not reusable after a year or two
Rubber gaskets are best if you will be removing valve covers often, or are using aluminum or hard steel valve covers

And as said above, snug is the ft/lb specs, lol

lower intake bolts are usually 14ft/lb so just over "snug"