Gregski

Any tips on how to remove stuck stock valve covers on a good ol' 302 V8 that has been sitting around for years.

vonkysmeed

remove the bolts and convince with a rubber mallet. If steel, may be rusted to head, but gasket should be there to prevent this. If you can get under the lip of the cover, pry. May be time to hit the junk yard and look for covers off another car for reinstall.

Just remember that a windsor is a windsor and will work from 289 all the way up to 351 as far as covers go. Make sure if you find a 351, to count the bolts and find 6. If there are more, it is a Cleveland and will not work for your 302

Gregski

How much should I torque the valve cover bolts to? The Haynes manual does not say, it mentions something called "Rocker Cover" I wonder if that's what they call the Valve Cover?

vonkysmeed

off the top of my head I would say around15 lbs+/-. I typically do them by feel and do not over crank them as they are only 1/4-20 bolts and cant take too much.

I will check my manuals tomorrow and let you know what I find.

andrewmp6

I have never torqued valve covers i just snugged them up and let it be.If you got a good gasket and it seals good they shouldn't leak.

vonkysmeed

my haynes manual for fox bodiy capri and tbirds says so that it is tight (about 5lbs)

Andrew, I am with you, I have never used a torque wrench on valve covers.

Gregski

Since those 5/16 bolts were the same as the bigger ones on the oil pan I torqued them down to 12 foot pounds like the oil pan specs (and that felt snug) but I would appreciate it if someone could confirm that for me by checking one of your manuals.

vonkysmeed

as stated above, my haynes manual said 5lbs or tight. if you have 12, you are good at that. I would not go any further unless you want practice with a bolt extractor.