Valve Cover Problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Madbomber88 · 06-06-2004, 07:05 PM

I uncovered an ineresting problem this weekend that stalled my restoration on my 71 K5. I have the complete front clip off and got to the point where I started to put all the new stuff on the engine and get her up and going. Took the valve covers off and noticed the previous owner had two full gaskets under each valve cover. Didn't think much of it, clean them all down, painted the covers, installed new RTV sealant and gaskets and proceeded to put them on. Then I notice the valve cover bolts bottom out and are too long. That must have been why he had two gaskets, to make the bolts work. Any one run into this? Where can I get stock (shorter) valve cover bolts? LMC doesn't appear to have them.
-Tim

jhow66 · 06-06-2004, 11:35 PM

Hardware store,Lowe's, Home Depot, autoparts store etc. By any chance would the motor be a 307? Reason I ask is that I ran into a problem on a neighbor's 307. He kept wearing a hole in each cover from the rocker arms rubbing. Come to find out that you could install them upside down. (one side had an angle to it). PO may have used 2 gaskets to cure this problem not knowing that they were upside down.

TonyJohnson · 06-13-2004, 06:59 PM

You could alway put washers on the top of the bolts until you get them shortened.

chaptr2 · 06-17-2004, 02:58 PM

Go buy some bolts at a harware store a little shorter than the ones you have. The guy probably put the longer bolts on beacause he put two gaskets on to stop his leaks. I have never heard of anyone doing that to valve covers, but the bolts shouldn't be that long. If you feel real tricky, go get some "all thread" from a hardware store (I think 1/4" rod) and put them in as valve cover studs. Once you get them in the head you will only have to put on washers and a nut and it works well. Plus you get the correct length you need.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 06-17-2004, 05:23 PM

You could also use the chrome t-handle style,that's what I use..

06-06-2004, 07:05 PM	#1
Madbomber88 Active Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 169	Valve Cover Problem I uncovered an ineresting problem this weekend that stalled my restoration on my 71 K5. I have the complete front clip off and got to the point where I started to put all the new stuff on the engine and get her up and going. Took the valve covers off and noticed the previous owner had two full gaskets under each valve cover. Didn't think much of it, clean them all down, painted the covers, installed new RTV sealant and gaskets and proceeded to put them on. Then I notice the valve cover bolts bottom out and are too long. That must have been why he had two gaskets, to make the bolts work. Any one run into this? Where can I get stock (shorter) valve cover bolts? LMC doesn't appear to have them. -Tim __________________ 71 Blazer CST 72 K20 Capt USAF

06-06-2004, 11:35 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Hardware store,Lowe's, Home Depot, autoparts store etc. By any chance would the motor be a 307? Reason I ask is that I ran into a problem on a neighbor's 307. He kept wearing a hole in each cover from the rocker arms rubbing. Come to find out that you could install them upside down. (one side had an angle to it). PO may have used 2 gaskets to cure this problem not knowing that they were upside down. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

06-13-2004, 06:59 PM	#3
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	You could alway put washers on the top of the bolts until you get them shortened. __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer --

06-17-2004, 02:58 PM	#4
chaptr2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Olalla, WA Posts: 705	Go buy some bolts at a harware store a little shorter than the ones you have. The guy probably put the longer bolts on beacause he put two gaskets on to stop his leaks. I have never heard of anyone doing that to valve covers, but the bolts shouldn't be that long. If you feel real tricky, go get some "all thread" from a hardware store (I think 1/4" rod) and put them in as valve cover studs. Once you get them in the head you will only have to put on washers and a nut and it works well. Plus you get the correct length you need. __________________ This is only my opinion and it is subject to change. 70 GMC Short box stepside Blown 388 Stroker 72 K/5 Blazer 350/SM465/205

06-17-2004, 05:23 PM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	You could also use the chrome t-handle style,that's what I use..



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