DR

Same or worse than they do anyway on an originally factory installed S4 cam cover??

Agree that there is a slight difference in the milling on the 2 cam covers. The 9 o-ring seats (per side) on the 85/86 were milled all the way thru on the S4 cam covers. The other 3 (per side) on the 85/86 are not passing thru the "inside" (they are on the outside of the gasket) of the cam cover so they can't leak and are not an issue anyway.

I am not aware of a proper sized (length/girth) long version bolt that is long enough to utilize the S4 Cup washer grommet on an 85/86 to give this a true test anyway. Since there are 18 long bolts used and 6 small ones I just don't see how it could have been tried too many times to be proven unsuccessful, or not.

I would tend to guess that the ones you saw that were unsuccessful were attempting to use the original 85/86 or the replacement 85/86 bolts. As you stated earlier (and I showed in earlier pics) the shaft diameter is very different. The S4 rubber grommet is "sloppy" on the thinner 85/86 shafts and therefore caused them to leak around the inside of the grommet.

Unless someone has found an S4 style (thicker shaft diameter) that is longer than the long S4 and long 85/86 replacement sourced from another Porsche etc. then it never had a chance to work.... but if that was available then we would have another possible solution.

With the proper length/girth bolt(s) and proper torque I can't imagine why it wouldn't work. I have tested the fit with the shorter S4 bolts / S4 washer/Grommets on an 85/86 cam cover with proper torque and it fits very well and is IMHO an even tighter seal than the rubber washer/o-ring original setup on the 85/86 (which always seem to leak also).

That was what I originally understood also.

I agree 100% that this is the best original replacement solution.
I would prefer the S4 style seals if I had an 85/86 32v, but since it is not "proven" sticking with stock is usually best. I have also found a less expensive replacement for the $7-8 85/86 Bolt washer/seals that are a perfect sized washer with a replaceable Viton seal that are less than 25% of the cost of the Porsche washer/seal. This would make the cost vs. the cheaper S4 Cup washer/grommet about the same or slightly less for the 85/86 guys with the correct lenght/girth bolts.

Glen McCartney

Dan, sent you a PM
Thanks,
Glen

Big Dave

I swapped my 85/86 for the S4 style bolts, washers and rubber bits. They did not leak, although the rubber donuts were squished and slightly deformed.

DR

Good to know. Since you used the right shoulder diameter bolt it shouldn't.


Correct, the S4 Long bolt needs to be approx 2mm longer on an 85/86(with S4 style washer/seals) to make them seal and "squish" perfectly at the correct torque like they do on an S4.

sharky47

I will just make a second type - it will be super easy, just copy the CNC program and make a few changes.

Here's what I need, the correct bolts to reverse engineer. I told Paragon to order some for me, but if anyone can send me some, and I only need one of each INTACT - I will certainly make it worth your while.........

the flyin' scotsman

Dan.............do you have stock left for a S4?

sharky47

I have many sets!

After selling out in A DAY with the first batch, I made a second MUCH larger batch - I have plenty!

GregBBRD

Daniel:

Send me your address at GregBBRD@aol.com and I'll drop a couple each of the '85/'86 bolts in UPS tomorrow. Whenever we remove the valve covers on these cars, we have to go on a giant hardware search....sometimes we can't find it and have to re-use the 2 piece crap. Porsche doesn't have the updated hardware any longer....at least they didn't last time I tried to get some. The '87 and later stuff just isn't right. The long bolt is close, but really not the correct length and the short bolt.....well this has been discussed at length here. Some correct '85/'86 hardware would be certainly welcome.

Keep up the good work!

gb

Vilhuer

While back I send email about geting a set and studs also but haven't seen any reply. Do you sell outside USA and Canada?

sharky47

Yes I do - shipping is on a per-case basis.

I see your in Finland, I will find out how much it's going to cost to ship there.

Glen McCartney

Daniel,
Were you able to get a sample of the 85/86 and make the correct dimensioned bolts for those model years?
Glen

fraggle

....and are there any more left for the S4+?

Nightfly

Hi Daniel, I just caught this thread, and I also have an '86. If you ever got around to making a set for my model year, please let me know I will order a set of your custom bolts as well.
Don

MPDano

Sure would be cool to have this in a 16V solution. I just pulled one of the cylinder heads off my 4.5 while mounted in the car. The re-assembly is going to be scary since you are putting allen bolts blindly into a hole.

checkmate1996

You better have two people...that's all I have to say!