According to my manual, I need to torque my valve cover bolts to 40 Foot pounds. That seems like a lot..... I always thought that those covers can distort easily so
not a lot of torque was needed. Thoughts?

The torque for valve cover bolts is 40 in-lb. This number is located in "225 cubic inch Engine" section, "Cylinder head installation" near the end of last paragraph. Tighten cylinder head cover nuts to 40 inch-pounds.

40 in-lbs = 3.3 ft-lbs.

Before installing the valve cover, check the bolt hole flange for flatness. Sometimes bolt holes will be stretched or deformed from previous over tightening, and require a few light taps with a hammer to correct the problem.

I use a nut driver to hand tighten these nuts or bolts.

Over tightening will damage a cork gasket, and it will never seal.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Ahh, thank you

I don't think that I've ever used an actual torque wrench on a valve cover.
And for that low of reading don't "convert" the reading to a ft /lb tq wrench, as that's too low for most to even register.

I posted that 3.3 ft-lbs number to show just how little torque is needed to snug down a valve cover. Most folks can envision exerting a 3 lb force on a one foot wrench, or twice that on a six inch long wrench. 40 in lbs, not so obvious to ones wrenching hand.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC