I started to paint my valve cover then stopped...I determined how tight the valve bolts went back in by placing my finger on the rubber gaskets and letting it be crushed by the bolt a little bit...turned it on and let her idle, seemed fine and revved her up and there is no oil/smoke.
That the right way to do it
Nick

 

So you were painting your valve cover and stopped. Are you saying that you were leaking oil from the valve cover and tightened down the bolts till you saw no oil Leak. Sorry im confused not a being a dick. But if that was the scenario if it does not leak cool and dont worry about it. I do think there is like a "torque spec" to go by though. :P

 

Yeah, as long as you get the valve cover nuts/bolts tight (not too tight) you'll be fine. Sounds like you'll have no problems with leaks.

 

I think the acorn type nuts will just bottom out and then thats tight enough, go any tighter and you break the studs

 

ya im sure there is a spec to go to, probably really low, cuz i have seen people break the studs.....

 

I think the torque specs are very low, like 9 or 15 lbs. I was told long ago that all 10mm bolts are torqued to the same pressure, but be careful, I've broken those damn things more than once.

 

7FtLbs according to the Factory Manual