can anyone offer any advice on doing this right so I won't experience any oil leakage?

I'll probably get a new gasket and I've seen people mention using a sealer called Hondabond. I also remember seeing directions for the order in which you should tighten the bolts and the proper torque to tighten them to, but I can't seem to find that info now.

I don't have any performance mods on my '99 Integra, but I done a few things to my car in the 2½ years I've owned it. I've added the OEM alarm/keyless entry system, OEM foglights. A pretty kickin' stereo system, some louder horns, some strut bars, some ITR suspension components, etc. The one thing I've always liked but haven't done is the red ITR valve cover.

I love the Type R, wish I had one, but I decided I wasn't going to put a VTEC valve cover on a non-VTEC Integra. I may be a wannabe, but I'm not going to advertise it by putting Type R stickers on my car or a VTEC valve cover on my non-VTEC engine.

So, after seeing a few people's posts about painting their valve covers, I decided to look into it further. I decided I'd buy a non-VTEC valve cover and have it powdercoated. I posted here and on HT looking to buy... found one from a guy on HT and asked him to send it to the powdercoat guy I found here on HAN,

I just got confirmation that the valve cover I bought from the guy in CA arrived safely in OH yesterday. I'm not sure how long it's going to take for the powdercoat process to be completed, but I'd guess than in less than 10-days I'll have my new valve cover. I need to get whatever stuff I'll need to put this thing on right the first time.

I also read that I should consider replacing the plug gaskets while I'm making this swap. So, here's what I'm looking to get...

1. valve cover gasket
2. plug gaskets
3. hondabond
4. proper tightening order
5. proper torque spec

Can anyone offer any advice?

I can't wait to see/install my new valvecover...

Sorry so long,

JD

 

a vtec valve cover woulnt fit on the LS anyway. But good luck with power coating post pics when it done

 

Well, that's good to know... the folks selling them sure don't make that clear.

JD

 

Change the gasket, the honda bond is not a must, so as long the surface is clean on the valve cover and the head you'll be good. As far as tightening the nuts, I don't have the specs. However they break easy if they are over turned, so here...when it gets tight, go one more 1/2 turn and stop, that is good. As far as the order you tighten them, caddy corner just like when putting a wheel on your car. Plug gaskets/donuts should be fine, those don't have to be changed that often, they usually last longer than the car. If yours are damaged than yes, other wise if they look ok, most likely they are.

 

I got my valve cover powdercoated red before storing the car for winter. Only thing I changed before installing it was: plug seals and v/c gasket and every thing was ok. Only inconvenience was the smell of burnt paint during at least a full week due to the fresh powdercoat:

 

The valve cover has arrived! Heres your pix to show u how it was shipped to me & what it looks like prior to the coating process.

The valve cover appears to be very clean on the under-side which tells me that there wern't a ton of miles on it and that the valve cover has not experienced any heat damage.

 

oh your doing his valve cover? Post pics of finished product I might want to get mine power coated

 

I will show progressive pix through out the process. I'm swamped right now so give it a lil time! I'll be sure to post 'em all.

 

Be careful when u torque them, I broke three studs(sp) and do it when is cold..as heat can make the bolts fragile to work on.

 

Well the blasting process is completed & she will be coated in a few hours!

she cleaned up very nice!