LS3 Valve Cover Gasket Height
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Teching In
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LS3 Valve Cover Gasket Height What is the compressed height of the stock valve cover gasket/seal when it is installed and the cover has been tightened correctly?
Or to put it another way, what is the gap between the valve cover and head when assembled?
I expect there may be some variation, so if a couple of folks could measure, that would be great!
Cheers.
BTW I am planning to use aftermarket covers that do not utilize internal spacers. Obviously I don't want leaks but I don't want to overtighten and damage something.
Or to put it another way, what is the gap between the valve cover and head when assembled?
I expect there may be some variation, so if a couple of folks could measure, that would be great!
Cheers.
BTW I am planning to use aftermarket covers that do not utilize internal spacers. Obviously I don't want leaks but I don't want to overtighten and damage something.
FYI you don't have to tq the center bolts to 89 in lbs to keep it from leaking. I've had zero issues with 50-60 in lbs and I really cannot tell you what the gap is between the valve cover and the head once torqued down but this could be determined with feeler gauges I suppose.
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You could sacrifice a gasket by cutting an inch out of one, and use a feeler gauge.
Butt...
Since the valve cover kinda "floats" in between the rubber grommets and the rubber gaskets, and isn't positively located by any metallic contact, and "tightness" makes no difference whatsoever to any of that because the bolts tighten up hard against the little metal tube things and merely mooosh the rubber parts together in the space left over, it could vary a pretty good bit. I'd guess it could end up anywhere from .050" to .080" or so, depending on the particular rubber parts.
Probably anything you're trying to do that has a tolerance so tight you need to measure that, has a good chance that it will crash and burn if different gaskets get used.
Butt...
Since the valve cover kinda "floats" in between the rubber grommets and the rubber gaskets, and isn't positively located by any metallic contact, and "tightness" makes no difference whatsoever to any of that because the bolts tighten up hard against the little metal tube things and merely mooosh the rubber parts together in the space left over, it could vary a pretty good bit. I'd guess it could end up anywhere from .050" to .080" or so, depending on the particular rubber parts.
Probably anything you're trying to do that has a tolerance so tight you need to measure that, has a good chance that it will crash and burn if different gaskets get used.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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You describe the stock situation exactly.
My issue is I have non-stock heads, rocker stands/towers and valve covers.
If I understand correctly I have to engineer the gasket space myself. Covers arrive on Tuesday, so i will know more then.
My issue is I have non-stock heads, rocker stands/towers and valve covers.
If I understand correctly I have to engineer the gasket space myself. Covers arrive on Tuesday, so i will know more then.
