Valve Cover Not seating properly?

[tokendog]

I replaced the gasket on my valve cover (s13 sr20) and I had to replace a few of the studs and grommets. I put the gasket on and put RTV on the half moons, then torqued the 13 nuts down in order to 3lbs and then 7lbs.

However, looking at the valve cover, it does not appear to be seated properly. I can see the gasket pressed against the head. I noticed that the studs have a washer between them and the valve cover that would leave space in that area any ways, but I do not remember seeing any of the valve cover gasket BEFORE I replaced it with a new one.

I have searched on here, google image, and looked through Positron's thread, but I do not see a good side view of the valve cover where it shows the gasket. I am trying to see if this is normal or if some thing is wrong and preventing it from seating properly.

I'd rather not have oil spray all over my engine bay once I crank this engine up.

Please provide a pic or input if possible

[duffman1278]

Can YOU get a pic of the area where you don't feel right that way we can let you know if its fine?

[positron1]

I was wondering about that too. When I put the new valvecover gasket on the new valve cover I compared it to the old one and I noticed that the new gasket protruded out from the cover much further than the old gasket did on the old cover so I thought that might have something to do with it. The gasket is pressed in as far as it will go so I know that it's seated properly so...?

[duffman1278]

This is the best pic I have right now up close, its too late for me to get pics now.

[tokendog]

Yeah, I will take a photo when I wake up some more... =P

Its kind of one of those things where you look at it and you are like, "WTF?" Cause it looks like its on right, it SHOULD BE on right, but it just doesn't /look/ right.

None of the photos I have seen are at the correct angle to show the space in between the head and the valve cover. Basically, from the angle I am talking about, you can see the rubber of the valve cover gasket being sandwhiched between the head and the valve cover. There is a space where its nothing but gasket and the valve cover/head are not entirely flush.

The only reason I am thinking this is correct is because there seems to be a washer built on to the studs, that seems to make sure this space is there... but my logic/common sense is telling me that it would make more sense for the head and valve cover to be completely sealed and flush with one another.

I will take a pic when I wake up some more and post it so me and Posi can get this sorted out. =P

[tokendog]

Ok, here are the pics. I torqued all of the grommets down to the correct specs. I had to replace some of them with the ones from the 91 SR20DE Sentra, but it should not make a difference, right?



and



Does that look about the same as what you're referring to, Positron?

[tokendog]

No one knows?

[Hijacker]

That's normal for it to be spaced up like that. Had I seen this thread last night, I could have saved you the trouble of taking pics

[tokendog]

That's normal for it to be spaced up like that. Had I seen this thread last night, I could have saved you the trouble of taking pics

Hijacker, don't take this the wrong way, but I love you.

Seriously, I am just happy to know that its right. I have to remove the valve cover any ways because I made a newbie mistake and forgot to install the CAS. So I need to set it to TDC and install it.

I don't mind taking pics. I just want to make sure this is done right. Thanks again, much appreciated!

Positron, if you read this, how much longer til you start installing that beautiful engine of yours?

Token.

[positron1]

Hey mine is just like that too so that's good to know because I was worried about that also! As far as this friggin' engine, I just bought my last pre-swap parts tonight so should be swappin in the next two to three weeks!