ENGINE VALVE COVER SEALING PROCEDURE
MODELS/YEARS 1983 CUTLASS SUPREME, CUTLASS CIERA, 88 98 AND TORONADO
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 beed 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 pwt number 22521731.
Install the valve cover as described in the appropriate chassis service manual. The Oldsmobile OEM Sealer is General Electric Black RTV, number 1673. This sealer or it's equivalent should be used for service repairs.
General Electric 1673 RTV sealer listed as GM part no. 22521437 is available in a 10.3 fluid ounce tube for use with a standard caulking gun and one source from which it may be purchased is:
F. B. Wright Co. 9999 Mercier P.0. Box 770 Dearborn, Michigan 48121
For your convenience a oopy of their order form is attached.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Warranty claims should contain the sealer part number 22521437 as the "failed" part number. Part count should be based on the number of clips used plus a quantity of (1) one for the sealer.
Parts amount should be based on dealer cost of the number of clips used plus 10% of the individual tube cost PER VALVE COVER, plus 30%.
Use existing operation number and labor time for the model being repaired.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
