Valve cover bolts

[60s Refugee]

Is there any good way to keep valve cover bolts from loosening? The only ones I've ever had that stayed tight were the ones on our new Pinto.Those had those bend over tab lock nut things under them. Standard lock washers just don't seem to work.

I wonder if those big 'wing nut' bolts everyone uses on their aluminum covers stay tight? I think I might try a set of them along with those triangle shaped pieces that go between the bolt and the cover. I wonder if the 'shake proof' type of lock washer will work? Or maybe Locktite? I have some stainless steel 'aircraft' bolts with a hole drilled through the head to pass a wire through to prevent coming loose. Those would not look very nice, but at least they would stay tight.

If I don't use the long wing nut bolts I will probably just use stainless bolts and regular lock washers. I will also try a rubber cover gasket. Maybe it will seal better than the cork one did!

Harry

 

[wallaka]

Never had any problems with them...do you have lockwashers on them? Mine have them built in.

Might try Loctite.

Safety wire could be awesome, though!

 

[Geezer 300]

The long wing nut bolts will vibrate loose.

 

[grocery getter]

I think is has more to do with the gasket compressing and shrinking. the nice thing about the wing nut style, you can snug them up when you check the oil.

 

[60s Refugee]

True...that cork gasket was flat as thin as a sheet of paper. I had to retighted the bolts three times over the last year. Yes, the bolts I used were the factory original bolts and washers. This new aluminum cover will at least not be bent and should seal better.

The wing nuts would be easy to tighten up though. You could even see the position of the nut as it turns, giving you a heads up.

Harry

 

[woodbutcher]

A friend of mine was having the same problems with his valve cover gaskets leaking.He replaced the bolts with studs and used NyLock(R) nuts on the studs along with FelPro(R) rubber gaskets.
No signs of leakage in the two months since the swap.
Leo

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

i always seemed to have my valve cover off all the time (my 170 was flat tappet cammed)

 

[60s Refugee]

Just got back from a car show. Everyone there who has wing nuts said the same thing...they don't stay tight! I do like that stud idea that 'woodbutcher' mentioned! I already have the Fel Pro rubber gasket. I noticed they were doing the stud thing on a "Muscle Car" show too. I figure if I lock tite the crap out of the studs then they will stay tight too. This will also help locate the rubber cover gasket since the new cast cover doesn't have a flange to help hold it in place.

Harry

 

[48fordnut]

woodbutcher is right. I use threadall rod cut to length, and locktight/super glue to hold them in . I do this on race engs as well as street. I use the rubber gasket and super glue it to the v/c. mostly alum v/c. then a flat washer ,lock washer and the nut. works for me.