Value Cover Leakage September 27, 2008, 10:45:38 AM 84 Cougar, 3.8LFelPro Value Covers (Blue rubber or silicone covering a hard shell -- assume metal)I've had a persistent problem with the value cover leaking on the passenger side, bottom corner. Retorquing every other day. Today will be final since torque now will be at 105 inch lbs (Ford max 106 inch lbs.).Questions:1) Other than star washers anyone have a better way to keep bolts from loosing?2) Any idea if new bolts will solve the problem? 3) Anyone every tried wrapping the threads with some fire resistant thread -- if they make such a thing (not particularly a fan of blue locktight as b*#$@ to get off)?4) Anyone tried silicone "Real Gaskets" from Tennessee?5) Any other tricks/suggestions to stop this leak greatly appreciated?ThanksDavid Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #1 – September 27, 2008, 01:24:50 PM You don't like blue locktight so what about the Red stuff. More of a permanet thing. I guess you could always do some searching and find some of those Stage 8 fasteners. Basic a bolt with a special lock at the top to keep it from backing out. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #2 – September 27, 2008, 04:48:58 PM I'll try them. Never seen any for Value Cover only Heads. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #3 – September 27, 2008, 05:09:19 PM The 80-106 Lb-In torque spec is for the original cork gaskets. Maybe your gaskets require more torque.Make sure the VALVE cover is not bent from previous over tightening. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #4 – September 27, 2008, 05:12:34 PM Quote from: dw85745;237487I'll try them. Never seen any for Value Cover only Heads.Don't know if they make these for valve covers, but they would work nice. :burnout: Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #5 – September 27, 2008, 07:10:14 PM If your looking for a threadlocker you could try the purple color from Permatex. They advertise it as a low strength threadlocker designed for fasteners under 1/4" (6mm) that require occasional adjustment. Removable with hand tools for easy disassembly. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #6 – September 28, 2008, 01:19:19 AM yeah, i got a suggestion, but no one ever does this.take off your valve cover and flip it upside downlay a perfect straight edge along the side wth three holesnow ask yourself why the straight edge is not touching all the way across.get a piece of 2x4lay the upside down valve cover edge along the 2x4place the round part of a ball pin hammer on one bolt hole.strick the hammer with another tool until the bevel starts to work to the opposite direction.keep tapping until the hole bevels in the opposite direction.you know your done when you flip the cover right side up and you feel the holes bevel pointing upwardflip over valve cover and each bolt hole will bevel upwards.nextdont use the rubber gaskets.make your own out of napa 1/8'' or better gasket material. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #7 – September 28, 2008, 01:22:29 AM Quote from: cougarman;237490Don't know if they make these for valve covers, but they would work nice. :burnout:those little keeper / snap rings make good valve spring shims:D Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #8 – September 28, 2008, 11:09:42 AM Thanks "ALL" for suggestions.SofttouchQuoteThe 80-106 Lb-In torque spec is for the original cork gaskets. Maybe your gaskets require more torque.Excellent Point -- Will touch base with Felpro. Also Not sure how much torque the head will handle before striping threads?JCassityHad thought of beating down hole bevel "somewhat" but didn't want to make matters worse (bend cover or worse yet crack bevel hole). Will definitely take under consideration as tired of @#$%^ with this value cover.============Re: Gasket Material. "Real Gaskets" from company of same name are supposedly silicon gasket material and primary application is aircraft, but also supply auto gaskets. Other than marketing, I don't know anything about them. Anyone tried them?? Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #9 – September 28, 2008, 11:30:39 AM Quote from: dw85745;237561Thanks "ALL" for suggestions.SofttouchExcellent Point -- Will touch base with Felpro. Also Not sure how much torque the head will handle before striping threads?JCassityHad thought of beating down hole bevel "somewhat" but didn't want to make matters worse (bend cover or worse yet crack bevel hole). Will definitely take under consideration as tired of @#$%^ with this value cover.============Re: Gasket Material. "Real Gaskets" from company of same name are supposedly silicon gasket material and primary application is aircraft, but also supply auto gaskets. Other than marketing, I don't know anything about them. Anyone tried them??the torque rating on any bolt is based on the bolts shank diameter and the thread pitch/per inch. It has nothing to do with the opposite surface it secures to. All of this with the idea that your fucrum is the proper lenght as well adds to the math.The rating you are looking for would be if that same bolt were made of aluminium,,ie- the opposite surface. So, how much in/lb of force would it take to shear an aluminum bolt vs steel. Think like that and you will not strip out the heads.To be honest, your complicating simple stuff.tighten the lower bolts more than the uppers,, thats the way i do it.The root cause may not be the valve cover. Have you run the engine without valve covers to see how the oil puddles on the left/right side of the heads. If they are over flowing, the oil return holes that lead back to the oil pan are clogged slightly or more than what the heads need for good drainage.Take a piece of wire and pig tail the end and roto root out the oil return holes. If you cant bust through,, dont continue cause there will be a bunch of goop that will clog your pump screen.instead,,,,,,,,,,get your shop vac and reduce the suction end until its the size of a small copper tube or something that is small enough to fit in the hole.Shop vac out the oil return hole. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #10 – September 28, 2008, 11:52:32 AM Article worth noting on torque -- however doesn't address dis-similiar materials.http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/fasteners_torque/index.asp=======================Forums access has been extremely slow lately??? Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #11 – September 28, 2008, 11:59:47 AM yep, agreed,nor does it include information about the extra valence electrons in the k shell of each aluminimun molecule either,, the information is critical in order to seal up the problem. you wouldnt want the additional conductivity property of aluminum to act as flint rock causing sparks so near to a fuel line.,,grin : P Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #12 – September 28, 2008, 12:10:18 PM Key point for me was dry verus wet and the amount of ultimate torque generated. Knew there was a difference but not "that" much difference. Always good to learn something new, even at my age!!!!Your sure that's not the "s" shell :>), :>) Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #13 – September 28, 2008, 10:42:05 PM Take the cover and gasket off. Make sure you can run the bolts into the holes without binding or bottoming out on something in the hole. Quote Selected
Value Cover Leakage Reply #14 – September 28, 2008, 11:22:55 PM Quote from: softtouch;237598Take the cover and gasket off. Make sure you can run the bolts into the holes without binding or bottoming out on something in the hole.now thats a good piece of advice there. Quote Selected
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