Toronado V8-350 5.7L DSL (1983)
Valve Cover: Technical Service Bulletins
Engine Built With Valve Cover - Sealing Spacers
SUBJECT
ENGINE VALVE COVER SEALING - OLDSMOBILE
NUMBER: 83-T-18
PRODUCED ENGINES
DATE:
August 17,1983
MODELS/YEARS
1983 CUTLASS SUPREME, CUTLASS CIERA, 88
SECTION: 6A
98 AND TORONADO
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
Late 1983 production engine valve covers for the 4.3L diesel engine (VIN Code V & T), 5.7L diesel engine (VIN Code N) and 5.0L gas engine (VIN
Code Y & 9) are being manufactured with spacers to hold them away from the cylinder head. This space helps allow the valve cover to expand and
contract during heating and cooling cycles without breaking the RTV sealing bead. To obtain this space the V-8 gas and diesel engine valve covers use
"coined in place" spacers and the V-6 diesel engine valve covers use separate snap in place clips. Oldsmobile is currently using a black RTV sealer for
valve cover to cylinder head sealing. This RTV has improved adhesion characteristics. Valve cover removal may be eased by the use of a valve cover
removal tool such as Burroughs BT8315 (Figure 1) or equivalent. To use the tool, remove the valve cover bolts and position tool on the inboard (inside)
edge of the valve cover, midway between valve cover ends. Engage remover tool tabs under valve cover flange and tighten forcing screw against the
intake manifold. (Refer to Figure 2.) As the forcing screw is tightened observe the valve cover flange. If the flange begins to bow, stop tightening screw.
With the tool in place, wrap a cloth around a short board, place the cloth wrapped board parallel to and against the side of the valve cover above the tool.
Strike the board with a mallot.. The board and cloth will absorb the blow of the mallot without denting the valve cover, while loosening the RTV bead
and allowing valve cover removal.
When servicing engines built without valve cover spacers, use separate snap in place spacer clips. These spacer clips are available from WDDGM in
quantities of 25 per package under GM part number 22521731.
Install the valve cover as described in the appropriate chassis service manual. The Oldsmobile OEM Sealer is General Electric Black RTV, number
