Fly911

I just took off the valve covers of my 1985 928S. The bolts were barely tightened (and leaking), I could nearly loosen the bolts with my hands...
With new gaskets and O-rings, what is the correct torque for the bolts?
The valve covers are pretty thin (and brittle) magnesium, to I don't want to over tighten.
Any torque specs?
Thanks!

Smitje 928

I did mine yesterday using Dwayne’s write-up and used 7 ft lbs. Felt right!

Mrmerlin

NOTE that Porsche changed the assembly by adding sealing washers between the screw head and the capturing washer.
Roger sells the sealing washers

Ad0911

This surpises me. On my 78 engine I remember I had to use quite a bit of force. On a spare 77 engine I even rounded 2 of those bolts inside the valve cover. Had to drill the heads off. The remaining studs are stuck really tight even with the valve covers off.

Mrmerlin

AD we are talking about a 32V engine not the 16V

dr bob

Adding to Stan's guidance: The original cam cover bolts were two-piece, and it's too common to see them broken when someone decided to add more torque to get them to seal. They are shouldered bolts and tighten to seat at design torque of 6-7 lbs/ft. Adding the washers is the correct way to add pressure to the gasket or seals. Tightening them more only breaks them. The S4-style single-piece fasteners are a worthwhile improvement; be aware that they have the same torque and sealing guidance. The business end is still a 6mm bolt, with the accompanying torque limitations.

Smitje 928

Dwayne described that only the lower 4 bolts and one bolt on each side of the valve cover (so 6 in total per cover) have the sealing washer added.
PET also shows only 12 washers in total, so is that the right way to do or is the latest thought that all bolts should have a washer added to them?

Manfred

Mrmerlin

I put the sealing washers on all 13 bolts

JayPoorJay

^^^True True True^^^^
(Looking down shaking my head)
​​​​​

JayPoorJay

If I were you I would feel supremely grateful at how them thangs came off. I have pain under the hood.