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Stripped Valve Cover

U

USF3983

New member
Quick question: I was replacing the tensioner assembly and there is a bolt that supports the alternator that goes through the valve cover. When I was bolting it back in, it ate away at the plastic of the valve cover.

I'd imagine I have to now replace the valve cover. Is there an alternative?
 


It's not the long one that the alt bracket goes to. It is the second one more towards the driver's side that has a rounded bottom.
 
Yeah I don't know now. I guess it sounds dumb that a bolt would go into the valve cover. It looks like someone has witnessed this before. I guess I have to replace the valve cover. And also figure out where I swapped that bolt from. Sigh. lol
 


Ok, I got some pictures. I can't believe I did that. Stupid.

I have to imagine that the middle 3 bolts are the tensioner bolts. I was using the one all the way to the left on the top that punctured the valve cover but I'm now figuring the one all the way to the right is what I should have been using.

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Yeah, I'm trying to find a new cover, lol. It looks like gmpartsdirect has a good price but I'm unsure about their diagrams. It says to confirm with them the part number but I can't seem to find it.
 
Junkyards have them... put up a post here. Lots of guys have spares. Unless you or Dave have stopped in. hahahahaha Drunkie did the same.
 
Yeah, you might as well call my drunkie for such a costly bone-headed move, lol. Gaskets probably need replacing anyway. I bought a front and rear cover for $50 shipped so not too bad. Lessons learned.
 


Would anyone advise against buying valve cover gaskets from gmpartsdirect for $14 a piece rather than Felpro gaskets at about $28 a piece?
 
I have the felpro gaskets. I..um....I mean a friend of mine once did the same thing as you. I'm not sure what I....um...I mean he was thinking. I guess I..er...he wasn't paying close enough and marking his bolts upon removal.
LOL.

Yeah, it seems like this happens now and again. I didn't have time to JY one but there are members doing partouts all the time. Murphinator shipped me one quickly for a good price.
 
Yeah, I picked up a front and back cover and I'm just gonna do both. Come to think of it, the gmpartsdirect ones might not come with the grommets. I'll just pick up the Felpros then. Thanks.
 


I should just stay away from cars. lol

I was placing the heater hoses back into the tensioner assembly and when I was ratcheting down the bolt that kind of holds the heater hose down, I cracked the thread. It's still partially attached.

Is that a big deal? The heater hose stays in place on its own.
 
I don't imagine it'll change your life. Think you can figure out a ziptie fix?

Anyway, I wanted to thank you for helping out my self-esteem as an amateur mechanic.
 
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