valve covers

[pokethesmot]

if i take them off and paint them am i going to need to put new seals on them

[C-10volvo]

Rubber gaskets are the only kind you can reuse. I would personally never reuse a gasket that has been torqued down. A few years ago it was 17 dollars for a pair of rubber gaskets.

[Texasdeere]

If they have been on for any length of time, NO. I guess you won't know till you take them off.

[BlueBowtie]

No, just go ahead and replace them, if you don't you'll wish had.

[pokethesmot]

ok now here is another Q first is it worth buying new valve covers cuz i would much rather put my money into gas and redoing my exhaust since i dont have a job and since my exhaust is broke also what all do i have to do to take off my valve covers is it just a few bolts and thats it

[old Rusty C10]

what kind of valve covers would you buy? chrome ones?

[pokethesmot]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

what kind of valve covers would you buy? chrome ones?

yep yep

[dammitmitchell]

just 4 bolts a piece
gaskets (cork type) are only 10 bucks at autobone..
i bought some like 4 days ago
just remember when you retorque the bolts they DO NOT NEED to be monkey torqued
or else the curve on the top of your heads will cut the gasket in half and you'll waste money and lotta oil...
read your chiltons or read it online to make sure..
and if you repainnt your vaulve covers take into consideration what material they are and you should be able to get a descent cote (takign your time) with only one can of VHT (DO NOT use normal krylon) because oil gas and heat will remove it..
good luck

[pokethesmot]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

just 4 bolts a piece
gaskets (cork type) are only 10 bucks at autobone..
i bought some like 4 days ago
just remember when you retorque the bolts they DO NOT NEED to be monkey torqued
or else the curve on the top of your heads will cut the gasket in half and you'll waste money and lotta oil...
read your chiltons or read it online to make sure..
and if you repainnt your vaulve covers take into consideration what material they are and you should be able to get a descent cote (takign your time) with only one can of VHT (DO NOT use normal krylon) because oil gas and heat will remove it..
good luck

thanks and is it 100% necessary to torque the bolts back

[old Rusty C10]

hey poke check your email

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by pokethesmot

thanks and is it 100% necessary to torque the bolts back

No you can do it by feel. Just go easy. I like to use a 1/4" drive ratchet so I don't get on them to hard.

[dswancutt]

The service manual calls for 45 INCH pounds of torque for the valve covers, which is less than 4 foot pounds. The biggest thing is to get all the old gasket material off. Most likely they are cork and brittle. I would just get a set of gaskets, and put my money towards fixing the exhaust. If you do paint them, clean and sand them lightly and put down some self etching primmer before you paint them. NAPA, Autozone and O'Reiley carry it.
Just my two cents worth.

[silvereagle07]

Don't forget to degrease the valve covers before you paint them. Sand off loose paint. Wash with soap and water. Prime , dry , paint. Sorry did not mean to get carried away...just remembering the days of first low money projects. Good luck.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! All great pieces of advice! Paint 'em and replace the gaskets,...that'll be your best, cheapest, long term bet! Torque 'em snug with a 1/4th inch drive. Todd.

[84 400]

I would stay clear of the cheap chrome ones. they are often thinner at the mating surface and tend to leak. Repainting is cheap and easy. another option is to find an older used set of aluminum valve covers on eBay. I saw a set of old M/T's go for 5 bucks the other day. Again tho if money is tight a good repaint will do just fine

[dammitmitchell]

i personally think mt's look hella cooler then chrome ones myself

[cjracing15]

Quote: I would stay clear of the cheap chrome ones. they are often thinner at the mating surface and tend to leak.

I could not agree more. If you want chrome ones only buy the good ones. As stated before the cheap ones will leak. I have never had any luck with cheap china crap. Take your stockers off give them a good cleaning (you can use the cheap oven cleaner in works good) and then pant them the color you want.

[78 Chevyrado]

Stock painted valve covers can look good, plus they're easier to keep looking good than chrome, which perforates and rusts after a couple of years.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Definitely don't go with cheapy chrome covers, rocker or pan! As stated, they're thin, will warp, and leak. These are die cast aluminum rocker covers:



And are perfect (but still hard to keep looking beautiful!), will NOT warp or leak, but certainly do NOT come cheap!
Painting and new gaskets will do you the best for the money. You can save up for these by simply painting the origonals. Todd.