Valve cover bolt seals

Do the valve cover bolt seals need to be replaced when removing the valve cover? I am also assuming the valve cover gasket cannot be reused and a replacement should be sourced as well. Correct? I have found a valve cover gasket from partsnmore for $40 but they don't carry valve cover bolt seals. I have found the bolt seals on ebay but it seems there are different sets available. My bike is an 85 XJ7ooNC. It looks like the four middle bolt seals are larger than the other 8. Advice is appreciated. - Dave

 

check with len, or you could look the parts up here...

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/xj-parts-catalog-section-e-engine.44640/

FU

 

If you're leaking oil, it's time for replacement. If you're not..... The gasket may be ok, if the donuts are still soft, you might be ok. If they're hardened, you're gonna leak regardless.

Ideally, I'd say if you've never done the valves before--- then assume the gasket and donuts are d and need replacing. If you've already done that in recent years, though, you should still be ok.

PERSONALLY, I put them back on. Then, if it doesn't leak, I saved some $. If it does start to leak, well, I lost the time but took a chance to save--- just have to get new parts now anyway.

Dave

 

The bike has been sitting for at least 15 years and i am sure the PO (my dad) never checked the valve clearances when he rode it the 5 or 6 years he owned it. It ran and that was he was concerned with. So I am going to guess the valve cover has not been off the bike in at least 20 years and maybe not since the bike was built 3o years ago.

 

Then by all means, pull it, check your clearances, and great your bike to a new gasket and box of donuts

 

Don't forget the HCP17542 installation tool for the donuts, totally worth it for $2.

 

A few drips of oil from an emptied oil bottle work just as well. I just push them together by hand.

Warm them up with a hot air gun, Dab of oil, push, done.

 

But then you don't get a new tool that way!

 

that's a good tip from "hog", I buggered one new seal up, using my homemade set up.

luckily one of the old seals was still good, so reused it

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It looks like the four middle bolt seals are larger than the other 8. Advice is appreciated.
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yes that's right ,as above
stu

 

No, the outside 8 are smaller.

 

Thank for the tip Dave. I don't ever buy a "tool" that only has one use. The only single use tool I have room for in my garage in a fire extinguisher. I also appreciate the link to xj4ever parts but my wallet isn't that fat. I have to watch every penny with this refurbish. If I were just doing a clearance check then, yeah, I would definitely buy from Len just to help support a fellow member. However, this is a total rebuild all at once and the $$ keep adding up. I can only spend so much a month and still stay under the radar. lol

 

hmmm, I like the look of those chrome bolts and doughnut caps. Were those stock on your bike? Mine has flat headed hex bolts.

 

his bike is a 600 radian.

FU

 

The tool has another use; it can be used as a compression ring in a compression fitting.

 

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hmmm, I like the look of those chrome bolts and doughnut caps. Were those stock on your bike? Mine has flat headed hex bolts.
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the bolts and washers are stock, but they're originally black. I had the bolts and washers chrome plated, before I put new do'nuts on.
the 4 larger washers I sprayed with the silver engine paint
stu

 

A CO2 extinguisher can be a beer chiller too

 

Aww w man.... Now I have to clean up all the coffee that I snorted out my nose!!!!!

 

lol. I'll have to try that! The co2 extinguisher that is. I've already snorted the coffee out of my nose a time or two.

 

A motorcycle makes a great rack for hanging a tarp on! Shit I want spring!

 

lol. I really do feel bad for you guys up north. Especially since I'm currently in shorts at 10 a.m. working on my bike on a nice and pleasant 72 degree morning! But hey, ya'll choose to live up there!

 

But you'll never get to experience the joy of riding a snowmobile!

 

I can live with that!

 

I did not choose where I was born!! I blame my grand parents!

 

As a boy from the Bronx I agree. You can't choose where you were born, but once grow up you can choose to live in a warmer climate, aye!

 

...and DaveF is right. Snowmobiles are super fun! Like a bike, but when you get thrown, no road rash, just a face full of powder! Dammit now I gotta tell the wife I'm getting a snowmobile too!

 

Rotflmao

 

I personally prefer the snow banks..,