Ole mighty wise folk. 318/metal valve covers/rubber gaskets...what will be the torque and is there a "best practice" for bolt down pattern?

"ChristineIII" is a Fury 3 1968.

 

There is an old proverb:::: tight is tight to tights broke...Lol ... Valve cover bolt are just snug +1/4-1/2 turn as to not distort the metel on the valve cover...some of the high end gaskets have a spacer built into them so you cant over tighten them...The torque spec is like 10 inch pound but not many people have a inch pound torque wrench...From the center out is the pattern...Good Luck...Bill

 

Thank you Bill. I do not have many tools, but ft & in lb torque wrenches, I have 2. The repair manual for this car says 200 in/lbs for the bolts of the oil pan. I couldnt find the amount for valve covers. Thanks again!

 

Oh and GO SEAHAWKS!!!

 

OK I dont do football...Just cars and women...LOL just kidding..Bill

 

I just double checked the torque spec and it is 6 ft.lbs valve covers and 15 ft.lbs on the oil pan...So I stand corrected...You can just google torque specs for a 318...And waa laa it is at your finger tips...Bill

 

I do all mine... Snug and then 1/4 to 1/2 turn......

 

my 1967 chrysler manual seams to have left that out. being the 383-440 only in that book. cant find my 1967 coenet book right now. my 2001 dakota V6 3.9 cyl head cover 95 IN LBS. in front of that book is a bolt markings and torque values- U.S. customary chart. lists a 1/4 -20 in iron at 7 FT LBS. i was thinking the older books called out 10 FT-LBS but may be not. my dad use a 1/4 in drive and put the extension between the first two fingers and took it to snug. seamed to work

 

In my opinion that torque figure is way way too much. If you have tin covers the very first thing to do is to inspect them for straightness and "undimple" the screw holes with a ball pein and a 2/4

I never used anything other than a 1/4" drive "screwdriver handle" or alternatively, grip the ratchet around the head with the palm of my hand.

Most VC and oil pans leak from OVER tightening, not the other way around.