383mazda

iTrader: (2)

Putting together my motor. I've got an LQ4 short block, got 317 heads off the craigslist and I am trying to use valve covers from a 5.3L I had sitting in the corner. When I tighten the 4 valve cover bolts down I can still move the valve cover around by hand (both valve covers do this, doesn't matter what side I put them on).

Valve covers have the gasket in them (stock I assume) and the bolts have the thick gray "washer" on them too - I cannot find anything about why these are not tightening down???

Any suggestions?

Ls2 cruiser

Are the bolts bottoming out in the holes in the head before the sleeves take up or are the bolt sleeves too long? You could trim the problem area the same on each and make them fit. The bolts and sleeves come apart by pulling the bolt upwards.

Ronny_02_WS6

iTrader: (6)

It seems that they are short, Get some 6.0 (LQ4) 317 valve covers, I believe 5.3L are not compatible, or longer bolts.

NVR_SPDS

iTrader: (39)

Can you torque the bolts to the stock spec? You may just need to replace the gaskets. Our valve covers dont bolt down flat. They are essentially spaced up to utilize the o-ring type of gasket.

383mazda

iTrader: (2)

yeah, I have them down to stock specs, any tighter and I'm afraid I'd start to strip something, and the valve covers are no where near "seated" still.

I thought all LS valve covers (excluding the earlier perimeter heads) and valve cover bolts were created equal?

A shorter bolt or taller "gray washer" would work, but I'd like to find the real reason it's not working right...

Track_FC

iTrader: (2)

Maybe those rubber spacers are shot. If they were smaller it would explain why the valve covers are floating.

383mazda

iTrader: (2)

maybe... any idea what the "spec" height is on those spacers?

3rdCoastPowerSports

iTrader: (5)

i don't think the rubber spacers are the problem. i have re used some really old and tore up valve cover bolts. I tighten them down to 106 in/lbs and there good to go. maybe someone swapped bolts on you. there are alot of really really dumb people out there you know.

tooblue

I would double check to make sure you do not have any Oil in the bolt holes. If the holes are full of oil you may not be able to get the bolts in far enough.

383mazda

iTrader: (2)

I'll check for oil again, but the spacing / height of all the bolts is the same when installed (i.e. one bolt isn't down tight and the others are loose...)

68wagon

was there every any answer to this??? I just bought some Holley LS covers for my lq4 and i'm running into the same problem!!! the metal sleeve on the outside of the bolt is bottoming out before they get near tight enough.....

383mazda

iTrader: (2)

No solid answer - I grabbed some vette heads at a swap meet fr a short block I have in the corner and I couldn't get the valve cover to seat on them either??? I'm going to cut the bolts shorter by a few threads - no sense in spending $4 a bolt from a dealership.

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Cut the sleeve down for your aftermarket valve covers and ignore most of those idiots above

If you stock valve cover isnt pulling down, check the gasket. The large O-ring gasket can flatten over time. If its not that, check for crap in the hole on the cyl head. Its a blind hole and if junk falls down there it has no where to go

68wagon

i went yesterday and bought new gaskets and i think that fixed my issue.. they tighten up nice now... i would have never thought the gasket would make that much difference...