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T handle valve cover nuts backing out #2371751 09/16/17 03:55 PM 09/16/17 03:55 PM
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 121 Rancho Cordova, Calif. D davidcwhitney OP member
davidcwhitney OP member D Joined: May 2006 Posts: 121 Rancho Cordova, Calif.	I got my fancy Mopar Performance valve covers and a set of T handles. I'm not sure I set the studs properly. When I start the engine the vibration makes the assembly come loose. I put the studs in finger tight. I am afraid to bear down with the T handles because I don't want to ruin my valve covers. Is there a "torque spec" to tell me when to stop? I am not wedded to the T handles, they are for convenience of installation (motor home, beats crawling around underneath to get the outboard ones). If I junk them, what's the best bolt option for a 1976 440 with 452 heads and Mopar Performance valve covers? Thanks. 1977 Executive Diplomat II

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2371756 09/16/17 04:01 PM 09/16/17 04:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced B bboogieart master
bboogieart master B Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced	I had a set of those a long while back. They had lock washers.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2371774 09/16/17 04:51 PM 09/16/17 04:51 PM
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 121 Rancho Cordova, Calif. D davidcwhitney OP member
davidcwhitney OP member D Joined: May 2006 Posts: 121 Rancho Cordova, Calif.	Hmmm these did not come with washers, that's one of the reason's I'm concerned about ruining the covers. I'll consider testing that. 1977 Executive Diplomat II

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2371788 09/16/17 05:33 PM 09/16/17 05:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,395 The Pale Blue Dot Skeptic master
Skeptic master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,395 The Pale Blue Dot	I have some of those on my B engine Barracuda, ended up using the Moroso gaskets and buying 2 sets of the Summit Chevy load spreaders- the triangular shaped ones. So far so good.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2371829 09/16/17 07:28 PM 09/16/17 07:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours Supercuda About to go away
Supercuda About to go away Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours	Originally Posted By davidcwhitney Hmmm these did not come with washers, that's one of the reason's I'm concerned about ruining the covers. I'll consider testing that. Use a flat washer AND a lock washer. They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: Supercuda] #2371895 09/16/17 10:06 PM 09/16/17 10:06 PM
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 644 Minnesota Barnstorm mopar
Barnstorm mopar Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 644 Minnesota	I had some on my 800 hp wedge and on the dyno we watched them spin counterclock wise at higher rpms. It was harmonics The little old lady from Pasadena is back!

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2371897 09/16/17 10:18 PM 09/16/17 10:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	Originally Posted By davidcwhitney I got my fancy Mopar Performance valve covers and a set of T handles. I'm not sure I set the studs properly. When I start the engine the vibration makes the assembly come loose. I put the studs in finger tight. I am afraid to bear down with the T handles because I don't want to ruin my valve covers. Is there a "torque spec" to tell me when to stop? I am not wedded to the T handles, they are for convenience of installation (motor home, beats crawling around underneath to get the outboard ones). If I junk them, what's the best bolt option for a 1976 440 with 452 heads and Mopar Performance valve covers? Thanks. I'd try lock tite, blue and maybe a lock washer? Might have room for a washer if you try a AN washer which is smaller than a reg washer. That would help protect the valve cover from the lock washer. Make sure the valve cover are not interfering with the intake manifold too.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: Challenger 1] #2372005 09/17/17 12:43 AM 09/17/17 12:43 AM
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 121 Rancho Cordova, Calif. D davidcwhitney OP member
davidcwhitney OP member D Joined: May 2006 Posts: 121 Rancho Cordova, Calif.	Loctite on the stud threads into the head and the exposed threads? 1977 Executive Diplomat II

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2372116 09/17/17 10:50 AM 09/17/17 10:50 AM
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,317 Ohio J jlatessa pro stock
jlatessa pro stock J Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,317 Ohio	Basrnstorm is correct on the harmonics, just too much mass far away from the contact area to control with the engine vibration variations. Joe

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: Supercuda] #2372203 09/17/17 02:13 PM 09/17/17 02:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,127 Bend,OR USA C Cab_Burge I Win
Cab_Burge I Win C Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,127 Bend,OR USA	Originally Posted By Supercuda Originally Posted By davidcwhitney Hmmm these did not come with washers, that's one of the reason's I'm concerned about ruining the covers. I'll consider testing that. Use a flat washer AND a lock washer. I always use a AN size flat washer under any bolt head I use on aluminum parts, unless the bolt has a flange built into it, to prevent wear, digging into the part and marking up the aluminum I can't remember using a lock washer on any but why not Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2372210 09/17/17 02:23 PM 09/17/17 02:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,363 Cotati, CA Dave Hall top fuel
Dave Hall top fuel Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,363 Cotati, CA	I wouldn't worry about bearing down on them if they are cast covers. I go as far as I can go with a 1/4" drive driver handle. I actually use a 1/4" drive ratchet but I don't lever the handle. In other words I keep the ratchet part in the palm of my hand and go until they stop.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2372375 09/17/17 08:59 PM 09/17/17 08:59 PM
Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 230 Georgia M magiccuda enthusiast
magiccuda enthusiast M Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 230 Georgia	I had some of those things and never could keep them tight. I trough them in the trash can and moved on.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: davidcwhitney] #2372384 09/17/17 09:19 PM 09/17/17 09:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	Originally Posted By davidcwhitney Loctite on the stud threads into the head and the exposed threads? yes and yes.

Re: T handle valve cover nuts backing out [Re: Challenger 1] #2372634 09/18/17 11:46 AM 09/18/17 11:46 AM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 19,366 north of coder moparx "Butt Crack Bob"
moparx "Butt Crack Bob" Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 19,366 north of coder	i have used common O-rings at times to keep fasteners from backing out from vibrations. just pick a size that "screws" onto the thread in question. the resistance from the material keeps the fastener from backing out. high temperature material would be my choice for this particular application, but i can't tell you what this material is. possibly AC O-ring material ?

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