Help with ceter bolt valve cover leaking

[PROFESSORSK5]

I baught a set of tall aluminum valve covers for my 89 K5. When I tried to install them I had trouble making the rubber gaskets stay on. I finally super glued the gasket to the valve cover and installed it. Now it leaks even after I re-tightned the bolts. Any sugestions. /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif

 

[TxK5Blazer]

this maybe a stupid question but were they valve covers or chrome cover to go over your stock valve covers. the Valve covers should have a groove to hold the gasket in and should have dividers in it. Just a question....Jason

 

[PROFESSORSK5]

No they are aluminum and there is a grove but the gasket is to small to just lay flat, so I had to stretch them into the grove. They are so tight that they keep coming off. I have bought two different sets of rubber and a cork (Mr. Gasket) set, The cork set was to long and I mean way to long. /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif

 

[dyeager535]

Well if they were stock valve covers and you knew they were built correctly, I'd tell you to order some of the later gaskets from GM.

Got a set on my motor, and they are neoprene. Yes they need to be stretched, but they stay in place pretty well, and should last just about forever.

 

[supersize75]

There is also a good chance you are over tightening them, long story short.....

When I redid all of my gaskets, tranny, axels,valve covers, tightened those s.o.b.'s to the max, I later learned that the pressure is no longer even along the whole gasket causing it to leak, hindsight is always 20-20 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dyeager535]

Was that with centerbolts? Factory centerbolts don't allow overtightening (don't get crazy and go with 50ft-lbs anyway), as the center supports bottom out.

 

[supersize75]

hmm,I beleave it was twards the back, I never knew you cant over tighten those though, cool /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[PROFESSORSK5]

I ended up taking the Aluminum valve covers off yesterday. I can't tell if the bolts are to long or the holes in valve cover are (they are like tubes) are to long, but suspect it is the bolts. I could kinda tell when I tightend them up it felt like they were bottoming out. I will talk to the company I bought them from on Wednesday and let them know. /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif