Painting Valve Cover Options

[MattCelicaSR]

I want to spray paint my valve cover, is it safe enough to un-bolt and remove it? or will i find it difficult to put back on, anythng i need to watch out for?

Cheers

Matt

celica SR

This post has been edited by MattCelicaSR: Dec 30, 2007 - 9:08 PM

[trdproven]

In my general theory of car mechanics, especially on aluminum material, there are sometimes sequences of how you unbolt and bolt back and torque.

Aluminum is very delicate.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Jan 10, 2008 - 4:29 AM

[laff09]

In my general theory of car mechanics, especially on aluminum material, there are sometimes sequences of how you unbolt and bolt back and torque.

Aluminum is very delicate.

I've seen the diagram ... now let me see if I can turn it up. *EDIT* Couldnt find a diagram, and from what I'm seeing it depends on what your torquing down, but for head applications most people recommend to start in the middle and work your way out to the ends.
As for torque on the valve cover the 7a is listed at 14ft/lb. 14ft/lb isn't very much, and you dont want it to be, otherwise you will squish/crack/break the rubber washer that goes under the acorn nuts.


Also, adding to Jaws, be very careful putting it back on as not to catch ANYTHING in between when putting it back on. When I did mine, the gasket didn't seat properly on the lefthand side after I tightened it up... part of the gasket got caught in the timing gear, and I had a big messy leak haha. Was an easy fix though, just put a lil FPIG where the gasket ripped and havent had an issue-but I have an extra VC gasket anyway


This post has been edited by laff09: Jan 10, 2008 - 10:07 AM