Easy Install Tip for Valve Cover Bolt Rubber Washers

Hi All,

Time to give back to the forum.

I stumbled upon a very easy way to slip those rubber donut compression washers over the shoulder of the valve cover bolts.

The key is to use a 1/4" Swageloc ferrule as a "shoe horn" or ramp to slip the rubber washer over the shoulder of the mounting bolt. I lightly lubricated the rubber ID and the ferrule OD with silicone grease prior to installing the washers. Worked like a charm!

I happened to have brass, but Swageloc makes these in SS too.

Maybe Chacal could sell these ferrules as an option along with the rubber washers...

Picture 1: Ferrule & Bolt


Picture 2: Positioned Ferrule


Picture 3: Ferrule, Rubber Washer & Bolt


Picture 4: Installed



Swageloc Ferrule Spec.


Hope this helps!

George

 

Nice G, Thanks for sharing. Nice Pictures too!

 

That's nothing short of beautiful!

 

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

 

WOWZA!!! I'm impressed by how perfectly they fit the flange.

I dunno why I didn't think of that, my Norton has a cone-shaped "tool" that comes with it for installing the timing cover seal over the end of the camshaft, exact same concept.

That sir, is indeed a GREAT FIND and so simple it hurts! I tried "popping" them on using a deepwell socket and a hammer, but just destroyed the rubber in the process. I've always advocated alcohol (for consumption) grease, and profanity.

You just changed the world.

 

Give that Man a Cigar.

We have a WINNER!

Select any prize off the Top Shelf.

Nice one.

 

That's a great idea.....on my way to the lathe to make some.

Kenneth

 

Some 8O

 

You never know who might need them!

Kenneth

 

Sorry to resurrect a post from the past, but I looked all over and could not find any Swageloc ferrules except from Swageloc.

I did find something that I think will work the same (it fit the bolt just like the photos) and is much cheaper - a 1/4" Delrin compression sleeve. I got mine at the local ACE hardware store (#41284) but most other hardware stores have them too.

 

Everyone who has a bench-vise can use it to achieve this. Position the metal and rubber washers on the bolt. Then open the jaws of the vise just enough to put the fileted end of the bolt between them, head of the bolt up. Take a piece of softwood board big enough to handle it with both hands and push on the bolt head until the washers find their way up. Softwood is better then hardwood because the bolt will dig in a bit so it wouldn't slip sideways.

Grease or oil will facilitate the process.

 

Zap- Swagloc is just a brand name (pretty high end one at that) any ferrule/compression sleeve with similar dimensions will work as well.

Quebecois- I just grabbed a hold of mine and pushed them on with some light grease on the bolt. The ferrule just makes it easier and can be combined with other things like the method you used.