The Ford Barn

Jim.UT · 04-29-2026, 12:39 PM

This is my first Y-block (272 inch in a 55 Fairlane). I've been wondering about the two (each) hold down nuts on the valve covers. I put a wrench on them the other day and they weren't very tight. I asked a mechanic if he knew the torque specs on those and he looked it up on his computer and said "2 and a half ft/lb"! I'm pretty sure my torque wrench doesn't even register anything that low.

I'm thinking maybe finger tight then another half turn. What do you say? I imagine overtightening will result in split gaskets and oil leaks. Has that been a problem on these?

1930artdeco · 04-29-2026, 02:14 PM

Yes it not very tight, just tight enough so no oil leaks out. DO NOT overtighten them as they will dent the valve cover. Just use a wrench and you will be fine.

Bleach · 04-29-2026, 02:31 PM

I just tighten mine with a wrench until I feel a little tension with my index finger.

cjshaker · 06-01-2026, 10:03 PM

Valve cover gaskets compress over time, which makes the bolts/nuts loose. Pretty common on all stamped steel valve covers. The old 223's were the same, with 2 studs/nuts on the cover. Usually a re-tighten is in order after some time.

You can use an Inch Pound torque wrench if you have one, which equals 30 INCH pounds. After doing it countless times over the years though, I do it by feel, but if I had to describe it, this is what I do....I use a socket and ratchet, grasping the ratchet right up by the head, using 2 fingers and my thumb. This limits the amount of torque you're applying. Then I tighten about as much as I can, which isn't a lot when grabbing up that high on the ratchet.

rotorwrench · 06-02-2026, 04:18 PM

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Cork composite gaskets have always been a type that compresses a lot. On the aircraft engines, most valve covers are secured with straight slot screws. The Lycoming screws have a permanent star lock washer swaged on. The whole screw gets replaced at overhaul so they hold up that long anyway. A person just snugs them up at each hundred hour inspection or sooner if we see one loose. Stock OEM gaskets are cork composite and usually last till the 300 hour valve inspection comes due. A screw driver applies just the right amount of torque. It's generally just snugged up after full contact. Maybe 15 to 20 inch/lbs. 30 inch/lbs shouldn't hurt anything on a new gasket but in may be too much on an old gasket. They don't compress as much as they break in. Some folks grease them but the oil will get to them pretty quick so I just put them on dry.

They last better on the old Fords because they are thicker so they compress more evenly and some have tabs that keep them in place.

04-29-2026, 12:39 PM	#1
Jim.UT Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Washington, Utah Posts: 57	Y-block valve cover nuts This is my first Y-block (272 inch in a 55 Fairlane). I've been wondering about the two (each) hold down nuts on the valve covers. I put a wrench on them the other day and they weren't very tight. I asked a mechanic if he knew the torque specs on those and he looked it up on his computer and said "2 and a half ft/lb"! I'm pretty sure my torque wrench doesn't even register anything that low. I'm thinking maybe finger tight then another half turn. What do you say? I imagine overtightening will result in split gaskets and oil leaks. Has that been a problem on these?

04-29-2026, 02:14 PM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,941	Re: Y-block valve cover nuts Yes it not very tight, just tight enough so no oil leaks out. DO NOT overtighten them as they will dent the valve cover. Just use a wrench and you will be fine. __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

04-29-2026, 02:31 PM	#3
Bleach Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 582	Re: Y-block valve cover nuts I just tighten mine with a wrench until I feel a little tension with my index finger. __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic

06-01-2026, 10:03 PM	#4
cjshaker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Ada OH Posts: 196	Re: Y-block valve cover nuts Valve cover gaskets compress over time, which makes the bolts/nuts loose. Pretty common on all stamped steel valve covers. The old 223's were the same, with 2 studs/nuts on the cover. Usually a re-tighten is in order after some time. You can use an Inch Pound torque wrench if you have one, which equals 30 INCH pounds. After doing it countless times over the years though, I do it by feel, but if I had to describe it, this is what I do....I use a socket and ratchet, grasping the ratchet right up by the head, using 2 fingers and my thumb. This limits the amount of torque you're applying. Then I tighten about as much as I can, which isn't a lot when grabbing up that high on the ratchet.

06-02-2026, 04:18 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: Y-block valve cover nuts Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Cork composite gaskets have always been a type that compresses a lot. On the aircraft engines, most valve covers are secured with straight slot screws. The Lycoming screws have a permanent star lock washer swaged on. The whole screw gets replaced at overhaul so they hold up that long anyway. A person just snugs them up at each hundred hour inspection or sooner if we see one loose. Stock OEM gaskets are cork composite and usually last till the 300 hour valve inspection comes due. A screw driver applies just the right amount of torque. It's generally just snugged up after full contact. Maybe 15 to 20 inch/lbs. 30 inch/lbs shouldn't hurt anything on a new gasket but in may be too much on an old gasket. They don't compress as much as they break in. Some folks grease them but the oil will get to them pretty quick so I just put them on dry. They last better on the old Fords because they are thicker so they compress more evenly and some have tabs that keep them in place.