hey my valve cover on my 4 cyl is leaking, what kind of gasket should i use? I see the Fiero store has a rubber and a cork one. Which is better? Should I use gasket sealer as well? And then what is the torque on those bolts? Thanks for advice on this.

I just replaced mine. Its 4cyl also.I used a rubber gasket. You have to take the EGR valve loose to get the cover off. Be careful of the throttle position sensor above it, mounted to the side of the TBI.

The valve cover and all other engine seals are available just about any parts store. They are carried by FelPro and other gasket makers.

Use the rubber gasket. Always take ruber over cork for these.

I remember FelPro valve cover gaskets come with a new EGR seal.

Use Permatex High Tack paint or spray sealer. Do NOT use RTV Silicone! Don't use sealer on the EGR gasket at all.

Clean all seal surfaces with 70% or stronger Isopropyl Alcohol or Brake Parts cleaner and let the surfaces dry just before applying sealer.

Make sure the cover hasn't been bent!

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

thanks a ton ogre you are always a life saver, you do great work. Thanks again.
Darren
p.s. do you remember the torque for those bolts? The haynes man. says 45 lbs but that seems high? is that correct?

[This message has been edited by Darren's 87 coupe (edited 03-14-2002).]

I don't have the book in front of me, but are you sure it doesn't say inch/lbs?

45 ft lbs is way too high! Also, use a gasket, I think felpro has these, that has little metal pieces where the bolts go so that you don't overtighten the gasket. Another thing.......check to make sure that the cover is not bent in where the bolts go. If it is, lay it on something flat and take a hammer and hammer it flat again. If this is not done....it will prob still leak with new gasket.

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

45 Inch Pounds. That's 3 and 3/4 FP.

Some tables leave out the note that it's IP not FP. You'd likely snap them off trying to get 45fp on them....

If you don't have an IP torque wrench, hold the ratchet right by the head. Don't use the handle. I grip the head with my finger tips.

You can also make a big nut driver if you have a 1/2 drive extension and a 1/2-3/8 adaptor.

If I remember right the FelPRo gasket is just cut rubber. It's what I used when I last did mine.

I'm not sure where to get the one with metal inserts in the aftermarket. GM says their silicone/metal gasket (#10124688) can only be used if you have the cover with a smooth flange. (They also say NEVER use only RTV to seal this one. Gasket is required.) I believe GM's gasket is to be installed completely dry but it's been so long since I saw one I'm not 100% sure.

If the cover has dimples where the gasket goes you should use cork/rubber. (GM says this cover will work with RTV only but a gasket is really prefered.)

(GM TSB 91-6-11 dated 10/90, Gasket vs. RTV on Rocker Arm Cover.)

GMpartsdirect.com has the 10124688 gasket above listed for $9.62. I don't know if it comes with the EGR gasket but that's only about a dollar at Autozone and Pep Boys.