Valley gasket change
Valley gasket change
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Discussion

adyw

Original Poster:

388 posts

260 months

Wednesday 17th February 2016
quotequote all
I'm thinking about changing the valley gasket as its looked ropey for years now and having read as much as I can. I still have some unanswered questions as my knowledge of engine rebuilds is zero and I am doubting my own ability and am still debating if I should get a garage to do the work or not, but another big bill is not what I need right now. I've done plenum and trumpet changes before alongside a little rewiring in the past, but is that sufficient skill for this task.
Are there any pit falls and which gaskets should I go for, especially as I want to avoid the need for a skim. Where exactly do I need to put sealant during the new installation as I can get my head around where exactly people are describing and dont want to have the thing in bits and then not know what to do.And finally on the rebuild what torque settings do all the bolts need to be, again can't find this info.

If anybody has any pictures or guide tips they could send me that would be great.

Colin RedGriff

2,541 posts

274 months

Wednesday 17th February 2016
quotequote all
Changing the valley gasket is relatively straightforward. However I'm not sure what you think might need to be skimmed.

Things to be wary of - plug the trumpets and then the inlets with cloth to stop things dropping in them while you are working on the engine.

Here are some pictures of my engine when I changed the valley gasket which might help you out.

Engine with plenum removed


Trumpets and base removed


Inlet manifold removed showing valley gasket


Valley gasket removed

carsy

3,019 posts

182 months

Thursday 18th February 2016
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Dont forget you will need to drain some of the coolant fluid.

737 FLF

173 posts

190 months

Thursday 18th February 2016
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When you've stripped it down this far (pic No.4)it would be worth taking a look at the condition of the camshaft.

Edited by 737 FLF on Thursday 18th February 16:21

adyw

Original Poster:

388 posts

260 months

Thursday 18th February 2016
quotequote all
Gents thanks for the advice, does anybody know how tight the bolts need to be on the rebuild.

Alan461

853 posts

148 months

Thursday 18th February 2016
quotequote all
Is there a difference in quality between manufacturers and can someone recomend a supplier?
I'm also curious about the curved end seals and which sealant to use.
This needed care removing as I didn't want the valley full of crap

carsy

3,019 posts

182 months

Thursday 18th February 2016
quotequote all
TVR Power will have everything for you, although this of Ebay is exactly the same.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INLET-VALLEY-MANIFOLD-GA...


In the corners you just need a little high temp rtv gasket sealant.

Inlet manifold bolts are 30lbft.

Alan461

853 posts

148 months

Thursday 18th February 2016
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Ordered just now.
Many thanks for info, it's a great helpsmile

sparkythecat

8,027 posts

272 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
quotequote all
A search for valley gasket found this thread.
Just ordered the one linked to on eBay .
Thanks to previous posters for the photos.
thumbup

steve-V8s

2,922 posts

265 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
quotequote all
It is worth offering up the gasket to the ports first to check the holes are big enough. On my heads I have to enlarge the holes slightly otherwise they block a bit of port. Standard heads may more closely match the standard gasket but it is worth checking. Put plenty of silicone on the ends or it will leak.

rev-erend

21,587 posts

301 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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biggrin


Sardonicus

19,230 posts

238 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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Some nice ole cylinder heads you have there Reverend hehe

rev-erend

21,587 posts

301 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
quotequote all
Standard heads winkwhistle

adyw

Original Poster:

388 posts

260 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
So embarrassingly, three years after my first post on how do change the valley gasket i've finally treating the car to a early Christmas present and started. all has been removed easy, so far so good. But I think some four legged furry creature has been having the time of it's life by the state it was under the manifold.

My question to those how have it, how can you torque up the bolts when putting it together again. I can get to 6 of them no problem but the others there is no way I can get to them without taking the injector rail all off, which I don't want to do. Any tips



Zener

19,230 posts

238 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
Its an MLS style gasket (little settling/compression) no need to torque bolts on that inlet manifold , find someone who is confident using hand tools if your not confident in tightening said fasteners wink

adyw

Original Poster:

388 posts

260 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
I got the gasket from TVR car parts so not sure if it is a MLS style.



Zener

19,230 posts

238 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
adyw said:
I got the gasket from TVR car parts so not sure if it is a MLS style.
Black coating on steel MLS/Composite so my advice above applies, providing the bolts are tight things are good


Edited by Zener on Tuesday 24th December 15:04

adyw

Original Poster:

388 posts

260 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
yes looks like that

Zener

19,230 posts

238 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
adyw said:
yes looks like that
Make sure bolt threads are clean and blind threaded holes in heads are clean also , use a small amount of sealer in all 4 corners shown

adyw

Original Poster:

388 posts

260 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
quotequote all
thanks for the tips. just sealant in those corners or a little around the rest as well