Valve cover question

[98TransAmWs-6]

I was installing my passenger valve cover on my 243 heads that use the 99 valve covers and I see this:



Should I see the gasket like that? My bolts don't have the grommets on them if that matters. It makes me feel like they are not tight enough or I installed the gasket wrong some how.

[pajeff02]

The O-ring gasket sets into a groove machined into the rocker arm cover. Honestly, I haven't paid attention to what they look like when installed. You should pick up a set of grommets for the bolts. As I recall, the recommended torque spec on them isn't all that much.

[98TransAmWs-6]

The O-ring gasket sets into a groove machined into the rocker arm cover. Honestly, I haven't paid attention to what they look like when installed. You should pick up a set of grommets for the bolts. As I recall, the recommended torque spec on them isn't all that much.

Okay well I did put the gasket into the groove. The valve cover wiggles even though the bolts are tight, I will get some grommets and see if that helps any.

[SMWS6TA]

Hey Will,

After I sent last nights pm I got to thinking and I realize what Jeff had said about the grommets.



Side note - ordered the 7.325 push rods, hope to have them by Friday.

[98TransAmWs-6]

Hey Will,

After I sent last nights pm I got to thinking and I realize what Jeff had said about the grommets.



Side note - ordered the 7.325 push rods, hope to have them by Friday.

I thought about that too, I just didn't think it would make that much of a difference. I taped off everything on my drivers side and passenger head to attempt to remove the broken lifter tray bolt. Let me know how those pushrods turn out.

[SMWS6TA]

I thought you already got the bolt out already. Be careful.

[98TransAmWs-6]

I thought you already got the bolt out already. Be careful.

No I've been lazy....college, work, kids, and family seem to take all my free time

I covered the whole area minus the one spot I need access to with painters tape.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Interesting. I've never really paid attention to what it looks like either. Now I'm curious.

[SMWS6TA]

I hear yeah!!!

[98TransAmWs-6]

Do you think I blocked enough off





That is where I need to drill. I ordered grommets and they should be here tomorrow morning. Btw I hate advance auto parts employees. They know nothing about cars and what shit is called.

[SMWS6TA]

ignore my pm about how far down the broken bolt is,


is there any edge at all to use a flat tip to turn the bolt?


Use any penetrating oil to help loose it?

I wounder if some carefully applied heat might help it? Maybe warm the surrounding block carefully?

[98TransAmWs-6]

ignore my pm about how far down the broken bolt is,


is there any edge at all to use a flat tip to turn the bolt?


Use any penetrating oil to help loose it?

I wounder if some carefully applied heat might help it? Maybe warm the surrounding block carefully?

It is completely flat. I wish it didn't matter if it came out or not lol. I will try penetrating oil and my torch but I feel those won't help much since the left hand drill bit is just drilling and not even turning the bolt a tiny bit.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Just drill it out. Pretty straight-forward process.

[SMWS6TA]

sad thing is that bolt isn't even that deep....



was looking over my wife's Jeep last night and remember I need to do this for a oil pan bolt that broke like this too. I'm luckier in that I'll be pulling the block out

[98TransAmWs-6]

Just drill it out. Pretty straight-forward process.

What size bit and tap though?

[35th-ANV-SS]

Start small and work your way up is what I've done and seen done. I don't know if there's a rule of thumb or not. 1/2? the diameter?

Are you using a left-hand bit?

[98TransAmWs-6]

Start small and work your way up is what I've done and seen done. I don't know if there's a rule of thumb or not. 1/2? the diameter?

Are you using a left-hand bit?

Yes I am and none of them worked they just made things worse, they jumped twice off center on different sides. I think I am going to have to drill the hole out with a bigger bit and use a different size bolt, or use JB Weld to fill the hole and redrill it the proper size. This seems like a lot of trouble for something that isn't that critical, what I mean is the head gasket with the heads are what really hold the tray down, in addition to the bolt.

[98TransAmWs-6]

Well my grommets came in today and I will be installing them tonight, hopefully those allow me to fully tighten down the valve cover.

[98TransAmWs-6]

It seems the grommets made it no longer loose I will take a picture of how much gasket shows later.

[35th-ANV-SS]

they jumped twice off center on different sides.

Did you also use a punch?