Torque

[420Ron]

Torque recommended for the two 11/16 nuts on top of the valve cover on a 420 w ? Replacing the gasket, and any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[susandiane]

Someone who knows the real answer will surely come on. My experience has been on vehicles and other tractors and my advice is "not too tight", "firmly snug". Presuming you are using a cork gasket, soak it in oil for 15-20 minutes and lay it to drain on newspaper until it looks dry. Torque number-wise I'd guess 20-30 lbs at most. If you can see the edge of the gasket, quit when it begins to pooch-out a bit. More have been ruined by too tight than leaking by too loose. Binder Dundat

 

[rustred]

well, the studs are probably 7/16" and don't know what grade of steel they are, as torque will vary from about 32 ft. lbs. for grade 2 and 54 ft. lbs. for grade 5. BUT... torqueing those is a feel job. you just tighten then by feel. you want the gasket held in there snuggly. overtightening does more damage than good. I snug down valve covers by feel and once engine has been running and warm give them a little tweak. torqueing is not really necessary. if you torqued it to bolt torque spec you would have no gasket left.

 

[420Ron]

Thank you, I was hoping the actual recommended torque was in a manual. I have a owners manual, service, and parts manual.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Never seen a torque spec on a valve cover. Enough to keep the gasket from leaking and not enough to distort the cover.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I should add here that's why the Oliver I bought has a weld bead down the middle of the cast iron valve cover.