Cracked valve cover [Merged 4-8] crack

[oldman]

I would do the the #1 option, #3 might lock the bolt. Carefull not to overtighen the bolt again, you're lucky you only crack the cover and not strip the head the first time.

 

[Eclipsemblue]

ya i proble wouldnt bother messing with it, just check ebay or a junk yard and get another one, would be alot easier for you.

 

[DrunkPenguin]

Ok, the torque wrench I bought must be a peice of crap cause my valve cover cracked while I was putting the bolts back on. I was nowhere near 3 ft lbs according to that damn wrench. So now im leakin oil out of the top like crazy.

Where can I get a replacement? How much would it cost through satan? I checked ebay but they want like 100 dollars for a powder coated one, I dont care about powder coating it.



Thanks,

John

 

[cyrusdrum]

Not sure where to get a new one junk yard perhaps, but for future reference torque wrenches are very inaccurate at their low and high range.

 

[iceman21]

Check the junk yard, dsmtrader, the classifieds on this site.

They can be had cheaper, but 100.00 for a powdercoated one isn't that bad.

 

[DrunkPenguin]

Is powder coating just a way of painting them? Or does it make them stronger? Didnt seem to take much force to break.


Also, is there a good brand name torque wrench I should look for between 2-3 ft lbs?



John

 

[blackGSX2g]

You don't even need a torque wrench for things like that...just put them on snug. You'll get a feel for how tight to put them on without breaking the cover.

 

[iceman21]

Is powder coating just a way of painting them? Or does it make them stronger? Didnt seem to take much force to break.


Also, is there a good brand name torque wrench I should look for between 2-3 ft lbs?



John

Powder coating is a different way of painting something. The paint blown on and then set in an oven and heated at high temperature until dry. Looks very very nice.

 

[CurtTSI]

Where can I get a replacement? How much would it cost through satan? I checked ebay but they want like 100 dollars for a powder coated one, I dont care about powder coating it.

$100 seems about right for a powder coated one. However, uncoated ones generally go for only $30-$50 on ebay.

 

[AWDPetmitsu]

You don't even need a torque wrench for things like that...just put them on snug. You'll get a feel for how tight to put them on without breaking the cover.

Agreed.

 

[Greg Collier]

Diamondstarmotorsport.com has used ones for $45.00 a pop............................

 

[98turbo]

I cracked mine in 2 different places and I used JB weld and it's hasn't leaked since.....

 

[Nanan]

The valve covers are damn easy to crack, I would suggest just going snug enough to where you are feeling the gasket seat down.

When I say they are easy to crack I mean they are EASY. I dropped a wrench on the sparkplug vally of mine and cracked it. I took it to school and TiG'd the crack up but I am sure you could get away with using JB weld if you do not have access to a welder.

 

[RamenPride]

Diamondstarmotorsport.com has used ones for $45.00 a pop............................

yeah, check the trader or classified section, they typically go for $45 or less...

 

[DrunkPenguin]

ok, well i bought one on ebay, thanks for the suggestions.


in the meantime i need to plug up that hole, a ton of oil is coming out. Would JBWeld hold it for a few days until the replacement comes?



John

 

[halligoo]

J/B weld will hold fine depending on the crack. I cleaned and J/B welded mine on both sides and it held fine until I got a replacement.

One piece of advice. If you buy a used one, take it into a dark room and shine a
flashlight thru to check for existing cracks. It will torque your shorts royally if you install one only to find out that it too has problems.

 

[Defiant]

As you see, you never torque fasteners that small.

A torque wrench calibrated in foot-pounds us useless at values below about 10 ft-lbs. Unless you borrow one from NASA.

 

[DrunkPenguin]

lesson learned i guess. thats what i get for reading chiltons.



John

 

[heavyD]

Torque them to 28 inch/pounds. You need a smaller torque wrench that reads inch/pounds. Larger Ft/lbs wrenches are not accurate that low. I have both so I'm covered for everything.

You can do them snug by hand but sometimes that extra little turn will crack the corners especially quite easily.

 

[DrunkPenguin]

I'm a backyard mechanic who hates breaking stuff! Where did you get a small torque wrench like that? I cant find anything below 60 inch lbs. Any brand names I should look for? Id like something reliable.



John

 

[heavyD]

I'm a backyard mechanic who hates breaking stuff! Where did you get a small torque wrench like that? I cant find anything below 60 inch lbs. Any brand names I should look for? Id like something reliable.



John

Both of mine are Sears Craftsman.

 

[tighty]

Hey guys,

I just changed my Valve Cover gasket the day before yesterday, and I've been monitoring it and noticed it was leaking a little oil around the spark wires. So yesterday I loosened the bolts around that and retightened them to 5 ft lbs per the haynes or chiltons manual (one of them, forgot which one I looked at) and today I pop the hood and there is oil everywhere! Goddamnit! So I'm looking arounnd and I notice this crack by one of the holes. I could swere that wasn't there yesterday. So now I'm screwed I think, but maybe not. Take a look at the pics and tell me if you think there is any way to repair the valve cover or if I have to get another one....I have a 6 bolt in my garage...could I maybe use that one? I'd rather repair this one if at all possible.

Anyone think I could reuse the "new" gasket since its only about a day old and I really don't wanna go spend another 40+ f'n dollars to get another one, but I will probably have to huh...

Thanks in advance. Guess no going to school for me today.... =(

 

[oncehuman]

Well in my personal opinion I would size up your other valve cover there with the cracked one and see if it'll work. If so use the good one. As for your gaskets you should be able to reuse them as long as they aren't damaged or cut, etc. As for salvaging that cracked one you could probably seal it but it might not last. As for what kind of sealant..... JB Weld??
But really I would replace it before driving it again.
Chris

 

[psychlow]

The valve cover is cast aluminum - you could find a shop to weld it.

 

[tighty]

I was cleaning up the valve cover from the 1g motor and noticed that the little piece that is on the bottom of it is loose or something...the part that looks like its attached with rivets, so I guess I can't use that one either.

What kind of shop would weld a valve cover?