[ihc] RE: Cover correction

["Jim Grammer" <jgrammer@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Think of it as bodywork for your engine. You're trying to establish a
'normal' surface along the sealing edge. Often the bolts have been
overtightened, creating 'dimples' at each bolt hole in the cover. These
areas need to be re-flattened, along with any other holidays in the surface.
I use an anvil or the edge of the workbench as a work rest and either a ball
pein or body hammer for the dinging.

Jim

Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 19:53:43 -0600
From: "John M. Adams" <jma@domain.elided>
Subject: RE: [ihc] head gasket advice?

>Valve covers should be flattened before putting them on.

What is meant by flattening? Are you actually lapping the valve cover? Like
on a large sheet of abrasive paper over thick glass on a flat bench? Or
something else? I've never attempted this, always relied on the sealant to
compensate for any irregularities. Thanks, ~John A.