Valve cover - bolts are studs

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cudajames

cudajames

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Hey, I have to buy valve cover bolts - mine are to short for the M/Ts

Looking around, I read that some people are big fans of using studs instead of bolts.

So my question - what is the benefit? Can the gasket be installed before the valve cover?

I am not using mechanical lifers - so I will not be taking the covers off a lot

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I would use bolts cause I like the look better. I think if you take the valve covers off often, like more than once a year, studs would be helpfull.
 
I like studs, because with aftermarket valve covers sometimes do not have the little notches to hold the gaskets to the covers like the factory ones do.
Small block chevy studs are the same thread as a small block mopar, so they are cheap.
 
I like the studs for gasket placement and holding. I also like the solid “T” handle. It makes taking the cover on and off easy. This is helpful on a new build Incase of it’s “Teething pains” arrive.

You can find slightly longer bolts to replace factory bolts. An extra 1/4 inch should do it unless a thick gasket it used.
 
I tried the 'T' handle type as a teenager, I found that they would vibrate loose over time.

On cars with adjustable rocker arms, short studs & nuts can be handy.
 
Alaskan_TA said:
I tried the 'T' handle type as a teenager, I found that they would vibrate loose over time.

On cars with adjustable rocker arms, short studs & nuts can be handy.
Click to expand...
Oddly enough, for the first time that happened on the wife’s car. The only difference I found in the old vs new T handles I’m using is the stud itself wasn’t a standard SAE but metric or ill machined stud. Yup! Very annoyed at this but so far, the jury is out to its actual worthiness. I can cut my own studs from a long threaded bar stock I have.
Again, just an annoyance.
 
I use ARP stud kit, it uses 12 point nuts, looks and works great.
 
i like the studs with acorn nuts, they're a bit 'custom' but not in your face as only about an inch tall. as above with studs keeping the gaskets in place is much easier, i've had to glue gaskets to aftermarket valve covers in the past when using bolts as the gasket tabs have no where to go.
neil.
 
Studs arrived and installed - I am a fan. So nice and I do like placing the gasket on the studs instead of inside the valve cover. It is a little troublesome on the drivers side (tight)

I might steal mygasser's acorn trick
 
cudajames said:
Studs arrived and installed - I am a fan. So nice and I do like placing the gasket on the studs instead of inside the valve cover. It is a little troublesome on the drivers side (tight)

I might steal mygasser's acorn trick
Click to expand...

A tip,
If using cork gaskets, wet the cork down with wheel bearing grease, very light, it will make the gaskets re-usable.
When I say light, put some grease between your fingers, and using rubber gloves, wet down the surface.
 
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