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When It Rains It Pours

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QuickSilver

QuickSilver

Jedi Trainee
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So on my way home of Friday the dizzy decided to jump out of the clamp :wall:

The only way to find #1 TDC on the road was to remove the valve cover and look at the rockers (no spark plug socket).

I go to install the valve cover and found out that my silicone gasket that is supposed to be an improvement and lasts a long time has some how stretched itself.

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Why did this happen and what can I do to shorten it back? If I cut it I am sure I will get an ensuing oil leak from the cut area.
 
For future reference there should be no need to pull the valve cover to find TDC. Put the car in 4th gear and slowly roll the car forward or backwards till the timing marks show TDC. If you remember about where the vac advance was just reinsert the distributor. The drive gear only fits in one way so you will not be 180 out. Or you could set the timing marks to about 10 degrees BTDC and insert the distributor,turn it counter clockwise till the points are closed and then rotate it clockwise till the points just start to open. As long as you have a 7/16 wrench for the distributor clamp you should be good for a roadside repair. If you have electronic ignition just reinstall the distributor with the vac advance pointing about where it was. It should start and run enough to get you home. I normally glue a cork gasket to the valve cover and wipe grease against the surface that touches the head. I have no experience with the new ???better??? gaskets. Bob
 
Some of 'em seem to swell with exposure to petrochemicals. Imagine that.

Gluing a cork one to th' cover and using grease or Hylomar as th' sealant on th' head side will eliminate the issue.
 
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