Loose valvecover
10-04-2006, 03:55 PM
#1
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Loose valvecover I just put on a set of Patriot heads and finished putting everything together. I noticed that the valve covers are loose. The bolts are tight but you can wigle them and there is oil leaking from one side. The pedestals on the bolts seam to be too long. Should I sand them down or what? Is there another solution?
This is on a 2001 LS1.
This is on a 2001 LS1.
10-04-2006, 04:15 PM
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have no idea check with some of the sponsors in your area. Use the search buttom and look up valve cover gaskets or just make another thread asking, and stating your situation.
10-05-2006, 11:14 AM
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Call Patriot and tell them. Maybe the pedestal bosses weren't milled enough. I don't know if there are thicker gaskets. The gaskets are round rubber that fit into the surround, so I don't see how a thicker gasket could be made to work. It's been a while since I've been in there, but if I remember correctly, the pedestals can be pulled off. If that's the case, grinding some of it off the top would do the trick. If not you would have to cut some split washers and fit them under the bolt head between it and the rubber fitting. It would also probably look like ***...
10-05-2006, 04:23 PM
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are they LS6 heads or what? there might be a diffrence in 5.3, 6.0 and 5.7 valve cover bolt lenghts (although i doubt it) and if they arent GM heads the part could be improperly designed or manufactured improperly
sure you have the gaskets in there? also, you could get a spacer, which is expensive, but would do it (i dont suggest it)
sure you have the gaskets in there? also, you could get a spacer, which is expensive, but would do it (i dont suggest it)
10-05-2006, 05:53 PM
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They are the LQ9 heads which are not machined by Patriot. They are Machined by GM. So the odds of me getting two heads that are both machined incorrectly are pretty slim. I think I am just going to sand down the end of the spacer to tighten them up a bit.
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10-06-2006, 12:06 AM
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buy LQ9 valve cover bolts... should solve the problem. you might get someone to measure LQ9 valve cover bolts for you. but it just sounds like they have a shorter bolt holding them to the head than LS1s, either that or diffrent valve covers, but ive never heard that they are diffrent
10-06-2006, 06:05 PM
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Well I fixed it today. I just sanded a few thousandths off the bottom of the pedastles and they snugged up nice. Weird how I had to do that...but it is resolved now.
