420A Valve Cover bolts/gaskets

[OblivioAssebit]

Ok guys... So my valve cover is leaking....BAD! Long story short when I first got my car when I was 16 (6 years ago) I wanted to paint my valve cover. I had no clue what the heck I was doing and ended up stripping the threads on my head. I actually had my valve cover held on with a C-Clamp for a good 2 years in one spot. During the rebuild I did last summer I tapped the holes that were stripped, and reused the rubber gaskets from the original bolts. NOW those gaskets are shot.

So heres my question. Is there anyway to fix this easily. I cant find the gasket anywhere and the dealer will only sell it with the bolt. I got an employee discount a few years ago for another project and they were still 5 or 6 dollars each. So if i can avoid the dealership I would like to. Im going to use grade 8 bolts (new ones all the way around) but I cannot, for the life of me, think of anyway or anything to uses for the gasket that goes in the bold hole. Thanks everyone!

 

[AWD_6BOLT]

Lowe's and Home Depot have rubber washers in their bolt section that would work.

 

[rlacasse1]

You could just fix the holes. Drill them out. Retap them , and put in a heli-coil. Then you could use the normal stock valve cover bolts.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

You could just fix the holes. Drill them out. Retap them , and put in a heli-coil. Then you could use the normal stock valve cover bolts.

When I retapped them, They were so stripped that I had to tap them out quite a bit larger. I'm basically fixing everything up to get her ready for a turbo. Do you think heli-coil will be strong enough to hold 8 psi? I honestly only need it to hold out for maybe a year. I'm building a full motor in my garage (1 part at a time $$$$) so I only need it to last until that's done. I have to have my eclipse for the winter, as weird as that sounds, but I my DD is RWD and has a hard time going places when there is water on the ground haha.

 

[knochgoon24]

When I retapped them, They were so stripped that I had to tap them out quite a bit larger. I'm basically fixing everything up to get her ready for a turbo. Do you think heli-coil will be strong enough to hold 8 psi? I honestly only need it to hold out for maybe a year. I'm building a full motor in my garage (1 part at a time $$$$) so I only need it to last until that's done. I have to have my eclipse for the winter, as weird as that sounds, but I my DD is RWD and has a hard time going places when there is water on the ground haha.

They shouldn't have to hold any pressure. Maybe 2psi max from crankcase if your PCV isn't working as it should.

Helicoils are stronger than the threads that were in there before. Half of my exhaust manifold studs have been helicoiled. Next time I have the engine out, I'm going to town and putting them in all the exhaust stud holes. I have one valve cover bolt that now needs it too.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

They shouldn't have to hold any pressure. Maybe 2psi max from crankcase if your PCV isn't working as it should.

Helicoils are stronger than the threads that were in there before. Half of my exhaust manifold studs have been helicoiled. Next time I have the engine out, I'm going to town and putting them in all the exhaust stud holes. I have one valve cover bolt that now needs it too.

Cool, I know nothing about Helicoils. I figured there would be a little pressure in the case from a turbo, I know there isnt 8psi going through, but I didnt realize it was only about 2. Know of any websites that show you how to use helicoil? I can buy it at any auto parts store too right?

 

[rlacasse1]

I have used helicoils on rocker arms. They are definitely strong enough to hold a valve cover on. Like previously mentioned, there will only be crankcase pressure.

You can find them at NAPA. They are simple. You take a bolt in to the store and they will give you a little kit. So take the stock little bolt, and they will match it to the correct kit. The kit will come with the helicoils, correct drill bit, and the correct tap that you need. it is very simple.

Just drill the hole out with the supplied bit. Tap them with the supplied tap. And then use the little helicoil tool that is supplied to thread the helicoils into the holes. then they are ready to have a bolt put in.

Remember this is all assuming that you did not already drill out the holes to far.

 

[knochgoon24]

Not all auto part chain stores will carry the sizes you may need. I had to go to a smaller local shop.
When I found them, I bought 3 different sizes to cover just about every bolt used on the 4g63 engine.

They aren't hard to use. On the packaging, they tell you the correct size drill bit to use. You drill out the hole then use the supplied tap to get the new threads. Then all you do is use the inserter tool to thread it in. You can use some sort of thread locker if you want.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/267280-how-use-helicoil.html

If the hole is already too big, you may want to look into Time-Serts. They are a solid threaded body that will fill the extra space. You use it place of the Heli-coil.
http://www.timesert.com/

Also, there are several off-brands of Heli-coils. The ones I found were called Perma-coils and are just as good. All the tools used are interchangeable with the Heli-coils of the same size.
http://www.threadkits.com/perma/permacoil.html

 

[OblivioAssebit]

Do you all suggest using heli-coils or similar for this. I threw out all my old bolts because I figured they would never fit again. Would it be dumb to just use normal grade 8 bolts. It may be cheaper for me since i have 2 full tap and dye kits and bolts from ace are only $.30. If you think that its dumb I will get the right stuff.

 

[knochgoon24]

For valve cover bolts? I'd pick up some SS allen head screws.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

For valve cover bolts? I'd pick up some SS allen head screws.

That would be pretty sweet, but ive never seen it done on a 420a motor.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

A screw is a screw, it doesn't care what motor it's going on.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Most valve cover gaskets include the larger gasket for the perimeter of the valve cover, the four circular gaskets for the spark plug holes and the eight cylindrical gaskets for each of the bolts. Here's an example of on currently on eBay:

95-99 DODGE NEON TALON ECLIPSE VALVE COVER GASKET 420A : eBay Motors (item 350158249682 end time Apr-20-10 17:33:08 PDT)

You shouldn't need to buy it from eBay, though. Engine overhaul gasket kits should include these gaskets, and anything plainly labeled "valve cover gasket" should have them too. Of course, if you're buying the gasket in person, I would check the package's contents before paying.

As for the Heli-Coils (helical threaded inserts) and new bolts, you can find everything you need from McMaster-Carr:

McMaster-Carr

I don't know the proper thread size offhand, but McMaster has a wide selection of stainless hardware. Also, I would say Time-Serts (thread locking threaded inserts) are probably overkill for valve cover bolts.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

Thanks guys. I'll post before and after pictures once the parts get in this week.

 

[xcelr8npimp]

Just a note, which you probably already know but keep an eye on the camshaft end caps for those can be mistaken for valve cover gasket leaks. It's recommended a mopar gasket maker be used under these caps. The valve cover goes over these camshaft end caps.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

Ok guys, I redid the darn thing yesterday. When I took my VC off I noticed one of my cam towers was loose... Don't ask me how this happened. After close inspection I re tightened it down with some locktite. Everything went well, and I don't think I have any more leaks. Only time will tell tho. Here is a picture of the new valve cover installed. It was dark out so I couldn't clean the engine bay. Oh and I know my washer fluid reservoir is loose, I'm slowly tucking wires when I have a chance.

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