[DeTomaso] Oil Leak Fixed. What Torque?

[Doug]

Terry,

My 1970 Ford Service manual lists 3 - 5 ft-lbs  for  the Cleveland valve cover bolts which differs from the 10 ft-lbs someone else posted.

Despite the torque spec, I just use a nut driver to snug them up by hand then follow up a week later with another by-hand snug-up and they never loosen after that.  

Not exceeding the 5 ft-lbs max is VERY important with the stock stamped steel valve covers as they will easily deform with too much torque.
Cast aluminum aftermarket valve covers are much more forgiving if over torqued.

I use Gaskacinch  to glue the gaskets to the covers then apply a light coating of my favorite Mobil 15W50 motor oil to the gasket surfaces that mate with the heads.  The covers always come off easily after that via a light tap with a rubber mallet without tearing the gaskets.  

Doug Braun 
Blue 73L #5505

-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf Of Himes, Terry (397C)
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 12:37 PM
To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] Oil Leak Fixed. What Torque?

Hey Pantera Guru's,

I finally got to my Pantera last night. (work is getting in the way of my fun!!)

Simple fix.  ALL my valve cover bolts were loose.  Every one of them.  I tightened them all but didn't want to over tighten them.  Anyone know what the correct torque should be?

I have roller rockers and the taller Ford Racing valve covers for clearance.

Your thoughts?

Terry

"A Purple Heart proves you were smart enough to hatch a plan,  stupid enough to try it and lucky enough to survive!"

Terry W. Himes
JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Dawn Spacecraft Team
Rosetta Sequence Team Lead
Phone: (818) 393-6261
Cell:     (818) 653-8213
Fax:     (818) 393-3147
thimes at jpl.nasa.gov<mailto:thimes at jpl.nasa.gov>
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