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Pages: 1

Valve Cover bolts....

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Posted by: TDUB

So the bolts that hold my valve cover in don't seem to want to come out, I turn them and turn them but no cigar. So far I've only gotten one out. Are they just really long or am I missing something here?

Posted by: TDUB

Ok so I figured out how to get most of the top ones off and front bottom one. I can't however get the very back one off or the rest of the bottom bolts because I can't get the socket to fit in. Any ideas?

Posted by: mallse

come at the one closest to the fire wall from the opposite corner of the car and you will have no problem

Posted by: cammerfe

A good selection of tools for turning bolts is a great help. I seem to remember that a racheting box wrench was of help somewhere in there. Unbolting that entire elaborate assembly from the driver's side wheel house and pushing it out of the way makes things much easier also.
KS

Posted by: gcwimmer

Try the TECH ARTICALS at the top of the page next to SEARCH, came up with this:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tec...l-Replacement/

Posted by: TDUB

Yeah I found that right after I posted it. Is it necessary to use a torque wrench when re-tightening the bolts?

Posted by: skizot722

Some of the bolts might actually be all the way out of the head, but you might think otherwise because they didn't come out of the cover. All of mine staid in the cover - I think they're supposed to do this so that you don't accidently drop them in the head/engine compartment when removing/installing the cover. If they seem super loose, and aren't coming out any further, then they're probably all the way out of the head, and I'd just move on to the next one.

Regarding using a torque wrench when tightening the bolts back down; I would use it on as many as you can get to, and do the rest by hand. Pay special attention to the torque specs for those bolts, as they are in in/lbs and not ft/lbs (at least they were in the Ford service manual I have). I overlooked this at first when I did my VCGs, and almost snapped one of the bolts in two before I realized my mistake. Major "doh" and a close one.

Posted by: cammerfe

Slight extra 'Ummmmph' is all that's necessary. Torque specs are due to some poor guy justifying his job as an engineer.
KS

Posted by: skizot722

Quote:

Originally Posted by cammerfe

Slight extra 'Ummmmph' is all that's necessary. Torque specs are due to some poor guy justifying his job as an engineer.
KS

Or they're there for some dumbass mechanic who thinks everything should be torqued to "head bolt" tightness.

Posted by: TDUB

So no need for the torque wrench then

Posted by: camthman

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDUB

So no need for the torque wrench then

Just snug them....

Posted by: TDUB

Does the dealer sell these bolts? What is the specific name for them? I seem to have misplaced one.

Posted by: skizot722

The dealer does sell them, but they're between $3-$4 a piece. Just ask them for valve cover bolts.

Posted by: highlander73

Quote:

Originally Posted by cammerfe

Slight extra 'Ummmmph' is all that's necessary. Torque specs are due to some poor guy justifying his job as an engineer.
KS

As opposed to the mechanic who justifies his job because of the shade-tree mechanic decides he's too "smart" to pay attention to torque specs...

If they put the rest of the information such as part numbers, fluid capacities, etc in the service manual why are those numbers legit but the torque specs are not?

Advice to original poster: get a torque wrench.

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