Simple question: How have you all straightened the bolt hole areas of your flanges? Basically the area where someone used way to much torque and drew the metal down and formed a little hump.

Do I just take a ball peen and have at her. Or is there a better way.

thanks
d1

 

Put it upside-down, between a opened-up bench vise, and use a inverted extension.
Couple of whack should do it! Eyeball it - you'll know when it's enough.
DON'T put it on wood - you'll cause the opposite problem!

 

I am assuming that you have factory style steel rocker covers, and not cast aluminum.... So long as the metal does not appear fatigued, or work hardened I cannot see a problem with messaging the flange back into shape. Likely the least intrusive approach is with a steel block backing the hole as an anvil and striking the area from the backside. Try not to get overzealous and whack the flange edge creating further repairs or even worse distorting the flange to the point that you can't get them to seal properly. Good luck!!!!!!!!

 

I have never encountered this problem but have been thinking about it and had the same thought as Funkwagon455.

I was also thinking you might be able to place them on a head as if installed only without a gasket,use the head itself as the anvil,then gently tap the metal flange area until flat.

just some thoughts

 

Glad you mentioned to not use wood as the anvil, I was thinking about doing just that.



Yep, I am trying to refurb the old covers. Figure I'd better get them as straight as I can before I paint them.

Thanks for the advice.

d1