lexluthier72 Posted September 13, 2011 Posted September 13, 2011 Hey folks, I also posed this question in the DIY section, but figured more people see it here. I am about to swap my 1990 plastic valve cover for a 94 wrangler aluminum cover. I searched for a DIY write up to no avail. I have a new gasket on order (takes a different gasket, the cover has nubs on the bottom to alleviate crushing the gasket), and I'm going to get new bolts. (shoulder bolts don't fit) I'm aware I have to re-route the "breather" stuff on the top of the valve cover. Any other pointers/tips would be appreciated. I'll try to post in the DIY section when I switch the cover out (waiting on new gasket) -Erin (tired of chasing the leak)
87Chief Posted September 13, 2011 Posted September 13, 2011 viewtopic.php?f=7&t=24446&start=30 Hope that helps, it's on page 3.
lexluthier72 Posted September 13, 2011 Author Posted September 13, 2011 BigNuke....Do you know what size hoses to replace the 2 on the top of the cover? I assume vacuum hose works? -Erin
87Chief Posted September 13, 2011 Posted September 13, 2011 I just went to autozone and got some heater core hose... and hose clamps. Then the small front ones were just regular size vacuum hoses, I would go a little bigger than mine because mine are very small and hard to get on the fitting.
lexluthier72 Posted September 13, 2011 Author Posted September 13, 2011 Thanks. I think I got the sizes figured out. 7/32nds for the small, and 9/16ths for the large. Anyone know how tight to tighten the new VC bolts? Torque wrench? OR not? -E.
lexluthier72 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Posted September 14, 2011 Torque specs?!? OR wing it? (I do have a torque wrench) Ive heard 44 INCH lbs? bump. :D
87Chief Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 My torque spec when I did mine was 'Good and tight' no leaks yet
Thunderbear Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 My torque spec when I did mine was 'Good and tight' no leaks yet Torqued to german specs: Gutentight. :D
lexluthier72 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks Guys!!! Tomorrow is the big day. :D (gasket arrives)
lexluthier72 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Posted September 14, 2011 Bignuke....Did your metal cover have the little "nibs" on the gasket surface to keep from crushing the gasket? When the cover is tightened down should those touch the head? I have not seen the gasket yet, so I do not know how thick it is....? I just do not want to overtighten the bolts, and be in the same boat I am now. (or worse) -E.
87Chief Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 Yeah I put rtv on the top and a little on the corners on the bottom. Sealed good. Just start in the middle and work out.
lexluthier72 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Posted September 15, 2011 Thanks Folks for all the help here. I did not have an appropriate torque wrench, so I used the good and tight method, using the head bolt sequence. I posted a DIY on this with some good photos of the breather re-route, and the size hoses/bolts I used. I simply "tacked" the gasket in the corners. So far, so good. I ran in up to operating temp, and watched for leaks the whole time. No leaks! I assume keep an eye on it for a while. -E. p.s.- The gasket choices were pretty slim. I ended up using a felpro "rubber" gasket which is actually rubber coated cork. The only other choice was cork only. :hmm:
fiatslug87 Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 Torque specs?!? OR wing it? (I do have a torque wrench) Ive heard 44ft lbs? bump. :D 44 inch lbs (5Nm), not foot lbs.
lexluthier72 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Posted September 15, 2011 Yes, I forgot to correct that. It is indeed INCH LBS. :D EDIT: I fixed the original reply to read INCH LBS. Thanks for the heads up!
lexluthier72 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Posted September 15, 2011 Took it on a test run to the grocery store. No leaks. yay me! :clapping:
lexluthier72 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Posted September 15, 2011 IF anyone has a part number/brand/source for an actual solid rubber valve cover gasket for this conversion, please add it to the DIY post. (also to satisfy my curiosity) The rubber coated cork seems to do fine, but it would be nice to have an alternative. -E.
88whitemanche Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 Best gasket to get for the 4cyl is the 98 dodge Dakota 4cyl gasket....it's a premade rubber plastic gasket....I've had mine in for the last few months and no leaks at all best investment yet....
Jeep Meister Posted August 13, 2013 Posted August 13, 2013 I am in the process of doing the same swap on my Comanche. So far so good...
Moehnke1 Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 I just competed swap. Used a 2001 Jeep Wrangler VC. Used Fel-pro gasket perma-dry VS50502R. Worked great, added 1/4-20 1" long stainless Allen head bolts and stainless washers, complements paint work. (I'd add pics, but I don't know how, some help please)
gogmorgo Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 There are a couple threads to help with posting pics in the "testing 1... 2" forum, at the bottom of the list on the main forum page.
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