Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Pulled the valve covers to replace the gaskets. There are two washers on the bolts, a copper and one that looks like maybe it was rubber. They're pretty deteriorated and one is cracked in half. Were these rubber or some kind of fiber washer?

What are people using when replacing them?

The parts list only says it is a gasket 5/16, screw, so I am thinking it is not fiber but probably a rubber compound that would mold to the bolt tightly and keep oil from coming out the bolt hole. It could probably be replaced with an ordinary bonded steel/rubber sealing washer or, using the copper washer again, maybe with just a snug fitting to the bolt shaft rubber washer under the copper.

If you cannot find originals or something locally that will work McMaster-Carr has several varieties of bonded sealing washers as well as different composition rubber washers.

Probably added after over tightening and commensurate leaking. When using genuine cork a valve cover need only be tightened to snug hand tight or enough to squeeze the cork gasket. The Manual says 15-18 lb-ft, but I think that is wrong. The 51-54 spec for the side valve covers is 25-35 lb-inches which means 2-3 lb-ft.

Of course, genuine cork is not an easy thing to get and if NOS has sat on the shelf drying out for 70 years.

What does 2-3 lb-ft work out to by feel? When you are at the grocery take a 2-3 pound package of hamburger and hold in your palm at a 90 degree angle to your bicep. Not a lot.