I'm taking off the chrome valve covers that the previous owner put on my 76 Cutlass 350 and installing nice freshly painted (and dried) blue ones. Just wondering what you guys set the bolts in ftlbs if using a torque wrench. Thanks.
Tom.

 

I am not sure, I always use the calibrated wrist technique. I bet it would be in in/lbs though or a very small ft/lbs setting, will try to remember to see if I have that listed at home as I have a pretty thorough info sheet on torque settings for Olds motors.

 

I have a 74 Omega with a 350 and the manual states 7ft lbs for the valve cover bolts.

 

Thanks guys, I wonder if the gasket material would be a variable.
Tom

 

It all depends on the metal.
Some are like pie tins, and some could prop up a bus while you change the tire.
Do people even use gaskets anymore on those? It seems everyone and their mother just use rtv.
I used the old school cork gaskets, and the hand-o-meter on mine.

 

I also like the old school cork gaskets. I use a light application of silicone to "stick" them to the cover and let them sit for a few hours and cure. Then I apply the covers with gaskets attached onto the dry head surface. Works well, seals well, and it is easier to clean a valve cover on the bench than heads on an engine when it comes time to do maintenance again.

 

I'm using cork gaskets and the covers are from a 73? 74? I think as they have the raised "Oldsmobile" on them. Just wanted to get the chrome out of my engine bay. They were gold, now blue. I've used the Hand-o Meter for years but as I get slightly older I'm finding myself getting a little specific about things. Or I'm a pain in the ***. Very good info. Thanks guys.
Tom

 

Those valve covers with the raised "Oldsmobile" letters are sharp. I plan on using them on my 455.

 

Lol I have 1 raised letter olds valve cover and 1 307 cover cuz There is a tap busted off in my cylinder head.

 

84 inch-lbs.

 

"Fully driven, seated and not stripped" is the spec I've always seen on valve cover torque. 73-4 was about time the factory started using RTV to seal valve covers.

 

"Fully driven, seated and not stripped". I love it. Those were more simple times. Thanks.
Tom

 

I wind up taking my valve covers off weekly it seems.
I just use thick rubber gaskets and no sealant...

They seal everytime, and I don't get all goopy from rtv.

 

What brand, rallye?