2001 DOHC Plastic Valve Cover Bolts

[2kSL1]

I've looked everywhere and I can't find what I'm looking for. The nuts and bolts on my valve cover look rusted, and I'd like to have a complete set of replacement nuts and bolts on hand when I go to replace the gasket. Could someone tell me what size and how many nuts and bolts I'll need to do the job right?

Also, I've read about torquing the bolts in a specific manner, but I couldn't find explicit instructions on how to do so. Could anyone explain that to me, or tell me where to find such instructions? Thanks!

[2kSL1]

A rump-pa-pump-dump, posting just to bump

[OldNuc]

Those bolt assemblies are a dealer only part and about $4.00 ea. After removal a stiff bristle brush and light oil will clean them up as they are black oxide finish. MAX torque is 89in-lb but use 85in-lb as they break very easy.

FEL-PRO Part # VS50549R is the correct gasket to use.

You should use a 1/4" or 3/8" drive torque wrench that is calibrated in in-lb. If you try anything else breakage becomes a very real probability.


Plastic cover torque is 89in-lb MAX, but 85in-lb will be fine. You will need a torque wrench that is calibrated in inch-pounds or if you use a 3/8 drive wrench that is calibrated in ft-lb the 89in-lb is 7.4ft-lb but set your wrench for 6.5ft-lb and click it a couple of times on a SPARE bolt held in a vice so you know it works. You really do not want to break one of these little bolts off.

intake side
9 5 6 10
3 1 2
8 4 7 11
exhaust side

Plastic cam cover torque sequence. Torque in stages, in sequence.

New gasket installation.
The gasket has to be installed into a clean dry groove with no sealant. To install you poke the tab into the 2 left end corners and the the 2 right corners. back up to the right end of the long side where they turn outward and tuck those corners in. The corner tuck is maybe an inch to an inch and a half. Now go to the middle of any run and tuck in another inch. Keep splitting the difference until all is tucked in. What you are attempting to accomplish is to compress the gasket linearly was you press it into the grove. Turn cover face down on a clean smooth surface and press down all around the edges to seat the gasket. Turn it back over and wipe the gasket face of with acetone and wipe off the mating surface on the head. Apply 2 1/2" thin blobs of sealant(RTV) across the timing cover./head joint. Set in place and torque bolts in order in stages to 85in-lb.

[2kSL1]

Super awesome info, OldNuc, thank you very much! So if I go to any decent GM dealer, I should be able to buy those bolts from them for $4 a piece? No part number needed, just a description of where it goes? I could probably ask them for all the other bolts I need, too then. I'll pay an arm and a leg, but better safe than sorry