I am going to be swapping out my valve cover soon and have a few questions that weren't answered by searching.

Can I use RTV instead of a gasket? If so, what type/kind.

If not, what are the part numbers for the gaskets that I need? I know that I need the one that outlines the cover as well as the small ones for the spark plugs.

Does anyone have a part number for the valve cover bolts? I have read that I might as well buy some extras in case I snap any.

Finally, can someone share the tightening sequence to follow when torquing the bolts down on this cover?

Thanks!
Curt B. Shumaker

use red rtv sealant. genuine nissan gasket maker is the best.

Why would you use red? Nissan recomends using grey...has the highest temp range and what-not. I would recomend just going to an autoparts store and ordering a valve cover kit, find out exactly what it comes with(acorn nuts, washers, rubber grommets) ordering it from the nissan dealer is just a PITA. You COULD call Brian down at Courtesy Nissan http://www.courtesyparts.com/ and ask him, I know he has it right off the top of his head. Later. I would not use RTV insted of a gasket, thats just asking for trouble. Your old one should work as long as you clean it up real good.
~Ryan

Courtesy's price is half of AutoZone's price. Use Import Gray from the parts store.

Curt, I just had the valve cover gasket replaced(by Jay Whitely... he was doing some other "stuff" for my car, so threw this labor in for cheap). He recommended, and I ordered the valve cover gasket for a '97 200 sx SE-R. Along with a few other things, bolts and whatnot. It wasn't very expensive... I ordered from Greg V. at Mossy Nissan.

If you're interested, pm me and I'll locate the parts numbers and the extra parts, too. Oh, yeah, I also replaced my pcv at the same time.

By the way, you can use rtv compound(grey), but only around the "dip" areas to help seal everything. Do not use rtv instead of using a gasket. You don't want to end up with a massive oil leak on a road trip... sure way to kill an engine.

Later,
Mark

No RTV - it'll be obvious when you look at it. Get yourself a tube of Permatex Ultra Grey, there are a few spots that need to be sealed, and that's the right stuff to use. Maybe someone can pitch in and scan you the FSM page that shows the spots that need the sealant.

The stock gasket is very resilient, and I've never seen one that *needed* to be replaced, but you've heard of Murphy's Law, so get one. :)

Here's are all the part numbers in and around the VC that you could possibly need

01217-00181 NUT QTY 13
13268-53J01 (Alt number 13268-97E00) WASHER QTY 13
13270-53J05 GASKET-ROCKER COVER QTY 1 (The VC gasket itself)
13508-53J10 STUD-ROCKER COVER QTY 1 (The long center one)
13508-53J00 STUD-ROCKER COVER QTY 12
13271-53J02 SEAL-OIL,ROCKER COVER QTY 4 (The 4 spark plug seals)

I can't find the part number for the rubber washers that pop into the VC bolt holes.

You might want to order one or two nuts, washers, and studs *just in case* If anything breaks it'll be a stud, but again, I've never seen it happen.

Chris

I just replaced my gasket, the stock was all hard and nasty and leaked like a mofo. It was $11.85 from the dealer. It fit nice too, i didnt use any sealer and there are no leaks anywhere.

Thanks to all who replied. I will be ordering the material from Greg at Mossy next week.

Curt B. Shumaker

Sheeeesh murphys law , I believe I'm murphy's whipping boy. anything bad that can happen probably will happen, and most likely it'll be me it happens to. If you need help I'll do it for you Curt. Just let me know before I move.



Originally posted by chriscar
No RTV - it'll be obvious when you look at it. Get yourself a tube of Permatex Ultra Grey, there are a few spots that need to be sealed, and that's the right stuff to use. Maybe someone can pitch in and scan you the FSM page that shows the spots that need the sealant.

The stock gasket is very resilient, and I've never seen one that *needed* to be replaced, but you've heard of Murphy's Law, so get one. :)

Here's are all the part numbers in and around the VC that you could possibly need

01217-00181 NUT QTY 13
13268-53J01 (Alt number 13268-97E00) WASHER QTY 13
13270-53J05 GASKET-ROCKER COVER QTY 1 (The VC gasket itself)
13508-53J10 STUD-ROCKER COVER QTY 1 (The long center one)
13508-53J00 STUD-ROCKER COVER QTY 12
13271-53J02 SEAL-OIL,ROCKER COVER QTY 4 (The 4 spark plug seals)

I can't find the part number for the rubber washers that pop into the VC bolt holes.

You might want to order one or two nuts, washers, and studs *just in case* If anything breaks it'll be a stud, but again, I've never seen it happen.

Chris

I'll state the obvious. Be sure to use a GOOD torque wrench.

I did mine and I'm a wuss. I went very light on the torque and increased it a few pounds all the way around each time till it seats just right. That is all you are trying to do anyway. The rocker gasket is thick so all you need to do is get even compression on it all the around it.

I bought new acorn nuts and washers too. They were VERY expensive but now they are the shiniest things on my engine. (Apart from the PC cover - thanks Pete)

I know it’s an easy operation to do but it is the kind of thing if you take your time you won’t have any problems.

http://horus.bx.net/newvc1.JPG

Dirty engine clean VC! Anyone have an extra oil catch can lying around? Mine REALLY looks like A$$ as you can see. Help me out!

Originally posted by sakerocket1
Sheeeesh murphys law , I believe I'm murphy's whipping boy. anything bad that can happen probably will happen, and most likely it'll be me it happens to. If you need help I'll do it for you Curt. Just let me know before I move.


Thanks for the offer Nick! However, I won't be taking this on until the spring. Just trying to get all my parts lined up before i do it. You know---gotta keep my engine clean and all;)

Thanks again and let me know if you need help with the move.

Curt B. Shumaker

If you are carefull when taking off your valve cover ,your gasket can be reused

Originally posted by muleman
If you are carefull when taking off your valve cover ,your gasket can be reused
Werd these things are made for the whole life of the car not like a filter that needs a change after a span just take it off and clean it and put it back on works like a charm.I should know i just got a infinity g20 valve cover "swap".lol i like saying swap....:p

No RTV - it'll be obvious when you look at it. Get yourself a tube of Permatex Ultra Grey, there are a few spots that need to be sealed, and that's the right stuff to use. Maybe someone can pitch in and scan you the FSM page that shows the spots that need the sealant.

The stock gasket is very resilient, and I've never seen one that *needed* to be replaced, but you've heard of Murphy's Law, so get one. :)

Here's are all the part numbers in and around the VC that you could possibly need

01217-00181 NUT QTY 13
13268-53J01 (Alt number 13268-97E00) WASHER QTY 13
13270-53J05 GASKET-ROCKER COVER QTY 1 (The VC gasket itself)
13508-53J10 STUD-ROCKER COVER QTY 1 (The long center one)
13508-53J00 STUD-ROCKER COVER QTY 12
13271-53J02 SEAL-OIL,ROCKER COVER QTY 4 (The 4 spark plug seals)

I can't find the part number for the rubber washers that pop into the VC bolt holes.

You might want to order one or two nuts, washers, and studs *just in case* If anything breaks it'll be a stud, but again, I've never seen it happen.

Chris

You don't have the part number for the seal-oil, rocker cover that goes around the hole where the long bolt in the middle of the vc screws down do you?

So what are the torque specs when tightening down the valve cover? I have over tightened before and stripped the threads inside the head. I dont want to do it again.