8 replies to this topic

[noeman]

I was replacing my tappet chest cover gaskets. Not knowing what torque to do the bolts up. I think I have over tightened them warping the actual covers. I now know reading elsewhere they should only be nipped tight.
Is is ok to try and bend my covers back to shape? I just don't want to put my engine back with them leaking.

[Ethel]

I wouldn't have thought it'd be possible to warp one that, but don't see any issue if it's a pressed steel one.

 

Maybe a photo would help us see what's needed?

[Swift_General]

If they are warped then you really have no option but to try and straighten them or source replacements otherwise oil will leak. Factory spec for that bolt is only 3 to 4 lbft, so as you suggest barely nipped up.

[Retroman]

You must have tried very hard to distort one a tappet covers !!

 

They should be a lot tighter than a measly 4 lbft

 

Maybe that explains why some blather oil down the back of the block

 

Providing the threads are good and the bolt is the correct length they can be very tight and should never give any problem.

 

Its one 5/16 bolt trying to squash a considerable length of cork or rubber and they need to be as tight as poss by hand.

 

Personally I would never rely on a torque wrench at such a low reading.

[noeman]

I've obtained some 2nd hand ones from a friend. And the new one with the breather pipe looks considerably straighter on the edge than my old one. I tightened the old as tight as I could with a normal wrench.thinking the tighter the better to stop any leaks. Maybe I did wrap it or it was like that before either way the new one looks better.
Before I put them on, just to confirm is it just nipped tight?

Edited by noeman, 25 February 2019 - 09:12 PM.

[Wiggy]

Ah, so you're the guy that tightens all the oil filters and sump plugs on the cars I service.

You just want to nip them up enough to compress the gaskets.

[noeman]

Haha, cheers wiggy.

[Bobbins]

Is there any merit in using a thin bead of Hylomar Blue on the cork gasket?

[noeman]

I have the orange rubber gaskets and was told to just smear them with grease?