I started a valve cover gasket replacement job. Just realized that I have the gaskets and 8 new small bushings, but missing the 8 new bolts as circled. Is it okay to use the old bolts?

Thx in advance!

 

I personally wouldn’t hesitate to reuse the original bolts.

 

Not ideal but not a deal breaker. The new bolts do have some of sealant/gasket that I have yet to see survive when taking out the old ones. How long that sealant lasts is unknown to me..so it probably doesn't matter much.

 

I reused mine without any issue

 

Thanks for the quick replies!!!

 

I've never replaced any except to get away from the 12 point bolt head. Swap to Allens on trucks I plan to keep around.

 

I've never understood the reason the RAVE says to discard the old rocker cover bolts.

The RAVE manual says to install new "... patched' multi-hex rocker cover bolts ..."

I don't know what "patched" means, but I recall there was some sort of black sealing material on the bottom side of the bolt head flange. They certainly aren't TTY stretch bolts like those used for the cylinder heads; the final torque spec is 6 lbf. ft. !!!

Here's a pic from the AB web site.

https://www.roverparts.com/engine/he...dware/ERR7371/

 

"Patched" bolts have a locking thread sealant on the threads so they don't loosen. Better because they do not loosen. I have some brand new ones, no patches. So, ....

 

Yeah, I originally thought it was okay to use the original ones. Then read the RAVE manual just right when we started the job this morning... and the RAVE says not to use the same bolts.

Crisis averted!

 

So... since I am using the original ones.... is there any type of high heat thread lock stuff that we should use?

I also read somewhere that they should be torqued last a little more than the prescribed 6 lb-ft.... but not more than 10 lb-ft (to prevent completely crushing the tiny valve gasket hole metal bushings.... but still tight enough to seal the gasket. Thoughts?

The original valve cover gaskets came installed by a shop with the new Turner engine 3 years ago. It started leaking like a baby's diaper within a year. It has been re-tightened twice and the leaking has not stopped.

Therefore, today is the day to completely replace to new gaskets. Fingers crossed on these new FEL-PRO gaskets.