Does anyone know the specs for the correct Torque of the valve cover bolts on a 350 small block?

Thanks!

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-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

I don't think I have EVER seen anyone use a torque wrench on a valve cover bolt. Everyone just snugs them up and looks for leaks. If it leaks, tighten a little more.
That of course does not mean there are no torque specs, I've just never seen it done.
Along the same line, does anyone out there know of a manual ( book, whatever ) that lists torque specs for Chevy engines? If so, what is the name of it?
Thanks

Glenn what engine do you want them for ,,let me know and I will send them to you

g

Motors manuals not only list for chevy but corvette in particular. I have a couple of older ones but they do not list valve covers torque specs. Not to say that someone out there dosn't. The problem is that many are base on bolt diameter and not always application, as is the case of a valve cover because gasket type should be a factor(rubber-Cork)

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The book to get is How to Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy by David Vizard.

I think the torque is only 10 ft-lbs, same as oil pan bolts.

If you are using tin covers, hit the holes from the bottom with a ball peen hammer to raise them up a little, they get distorted by people trying to fix dried out leaky gaskets with more torque.


Joe

|UPDATED|11/14/2002 10:37:19 PM|/UPDATED|

Found It in Corvette 1966-82 shop manual by motor books international. Its listed for sale in the right side pannel of this page from time to time. Rocker arm cover torque 50-55 LB-In. Be careful now thats inch pounds per not foot pounds. A standard torque wrench is in foot pounds. I don't know what the conversion is.

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12 inch/pounds equals 1 foot/pound.

55 in/lbs = ~4.5 ft/lbs -- much too low to measure with a standard ft/lb torque wrench. If you want to torque them, you will need a in/lb torque wrench.

George,
What ever you have on 427 and 454 would be greatly appreciated.
Would probably be easy to get together over a beer somewhere.

Thanks

50 in/lbs is correct. That's for the cork type gaskets. I would assume other type of gaskets would be the same. 50 in/lbs is not very much. Replaced the valve cover gaskets last year and used a nutdriver to tighten the bolts. I was going to buy the expensive gaskets but the local vette guy said the cork works well because it will swell slightly and make a good seal.