Why are the cam seals like this?

[RobDET]

Why on most DOHC engines does the valve cover gasket go down like this. I've had problems with other motors leaking from these things. Why not just cast the head flat?

[erich]

So you can get a socket wrench in there to take the cam gears off.

[DAEDALUS]

I think it has more to do with manufacturing needs. Remember that the clearance between the camshaft and bearings is about .002", which is about 1/2 the thickness of a sheet of paper. There are several bearings on the head, all machined into the casting. Thus each bearing MUST be very nearly in exactly the same location and depth as all the other bearings; if one is out of alignment, the camshaft would seize up. Thus the bearings are cut with a single precision cutter, which must cut through all walls to create the bearing cuts.

[AZhitman]

Damn Rob.

You scare me sometimes.

As soon as the warranty runs out on Quella, I'm gonna send you a fat check to keep you "on retainer" for repairs....

Good excuse for me to come to SoCal...

[s13sr20chris]

they wont leak if you hook em up with some rtv. just be sure you clean it up with brake cleaner and use good rtv like nissan orange rtv or permatex ultra grey.