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Author Topic: Valve cover bolts  (Read 14419 times)

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GTRS Fiero

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Valve cover bolts
« on: March 08, 2020, 11:01:19 pm »


Not bad for 30 years old.

scottb

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2020, 12:29:46 pm »
I dont get it

Slyp

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2020, 12:40:46 pm »
He scores another post.......

Fierofool

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2020, 12:46:51 pm »
The valve cover bolts have a rubber seal on them.  They usually go bad and are partially at fault for valve cover leaks.  These bolts are somewhat specific to the Fiero and are very difficult to come by.  Even though the 3.1 and 3.4 heads use the same bolt pattern, the covers are stamped steel covers and don't require the longer bolt and sleeve with seal.  Maybe we should pull the ones from the stripper car engine before it gets scrapped. 

And we all scored another post. 
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2020, 09:59:17 pm »
He scores another post.......

Thank you for your contribution to this thread.  Your critique of my posts is invaluable.  If you would also help me find posts I've made that contain typo's, I'd apprdciate it.

Meanwhile, I value your perspective, but will share an alternate perspective.  GFC is in a dinghy out in a rough sea.  The dinghy is taking on water.  I'm bailing the water out of the dinghy.  Each of my posts is basically another such effort.  When I read your post, I realized one important fact: I'm not even in the dinghy.  So, while I may have bailed a lot of water, my efforts are futile, and do not benefit me.

Sunday was a bad day, for me.  I took some time to restore these bolts, and was trying to be positive, by sharing how the bolts came out.  I was rather pleased with the results.  It was something I could do while I still can.

As far as posts, when I remember, I've made an effort to wait, offering others a chance to reply.  Sometimes, hours go by, without a reply.  Further, I have gone back and deleted posts/topics that in retrospect did not benefit GFC, thus reducing my total number of posts.  I have been trying to avoid posting in the general board, lately, to keep my posts down.

I'm at a bit of a loss.  When I came here, the forum was very slow.  I think that was the slowest full year showing on record.  Days had gone by without activity.  We now have more visitors, more posts, and have not had a dead day for almost 3 years.  My post about the valve cover bolts was relevant (at least in my mind).

If you have relevant responses to posts, I encourage you to reply.  If there is something you believe I could do differently or better, please let me know.  I am open to constructive criticism.  Please PM me, or email me, so we don't score more posts that may not contribute to the betterment of the club.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2020, 10:02:06 pm »
I dont get it

Well, I was sharing my excitement.  If everyone's valve cover bolts look like this, my excitement was misplaced, and my efforts were wasted.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2020, 10:06:43 pm »
The valve cover bolts have a rubber seal on them.  They usually go bad and are partially at fault for valve cover leaks.  These bolts are somewhat specific to the Fiero and are very difficult to come by.

I've been looking at the rubber seal on the bolts.  If I could find rubber like that, I could cut more such seals.  Meanwhile, while looking for different bolts, I spoke with a company about making those, and showed them these, as well.  They can reproduce these valve cover bolts.

TopNotch

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2020, 10:33:59 pm »
I wonder if an appropriate length sleeve and a rubber washer could be put on a standard bolt to make a replacement. If so, the bolt could be stainless steel.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2020, 07:43:26 am »
There are several ways to do this.  Surely, the original design could also have been done with stainless steel?

Roger

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2020, 09:17:20 am »
I've never noticed because mine haven't leaked so I haven't touched them.

What did you use to clean yours? They look near new!
You can't fix stupid but, you can adjust it with a 2x4.

scottb

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2020, 02:42:37 pm »
Now I get it..... I did not understand that they had been thoroughly cleaned and restored. That and it is hard too see in the pictures due to the shadows. Most excellent work

The Art Doctor

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2020, 04:36:14 pm »
I like your posts. And nice bolts

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2020, 05:58:52 pm »
Thanks, Roger!  I used a product called EvapoRust Super Safe Rust Remover.  You have to get the larger size, so it's the clear liquid.  You don't want the gel.  I put these in for about 12 hours.  I rinsed them with water, dried them, then took this picture.  To prevent flash rust, I gave them a light spray with WD40, then wiped them dry.

My rust removal efforts were supposed to make the last 2 newsletters, but didn't make the cut.

I'll try to get a better pic.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Valve cover bolts
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2020, 10:12:23 pm »
Sorry about the shadows, but this image should be better.



I still need to clean the threads.