New Valve Covers Leaking, Do I need to re-clean mating surface and re-tighten?

[14-Bolt]

New Valve Covers are leaking, used the new re-usable rubber dipped metal gaskets, made it super easy. Didn't want to over tighten, warp covers and make leak.

I used a nut driver to tighten them by hand and got them preety snug, was afraid to get them to tight with a socket wrench, but i don't think i got them tight enough.

1. Do i need to just tighten the bolts or
2. Do i need to take off valve covers clean everything off again, make mating surface clean than tighten down with a socket this time?

3. How do you guys judge 60 in/lb
Or 5 ft/lbs?

Using Trans Dapt covers with Felpro Perma Dry Plus

 

[76zimmer]

are they the thin metal ones with no reinforcement lips, if so, they may warp some when tightening down. Try the spreader bars that came on stock mid 80's engines. They help distribute the load. I only snug by hand with a 1/4" drive, and use a crisscross pattern while snugging them down.

 

[k2mslskier]

Cork gaskets...have never had a problem.

 

[Silver84k5]

3. How do you guys judge 60 in/lb
Or 5 ft/lbs?

with a torque wrench. it makes judging easy.