The Ford Barn

1929 Leatherback · 01-30-2022, 07:37 PM

Good evening everyone.

Removed the valve cover off of my 29, only to find cracks around the area where the bolt is threaded into the cover at the oil return location. The problem is that who ever did previous work on it over tightened that bolt and now it has cracks in it. It's not broke out, but I don't really want to put it back together like that. If it were to breakout while on the road, it would pump the oil out.

My question here is, has anyone had to deal with something like this, or if I could I would buy a new one, but I cant seem to find any new ones

Thanks in advance!!

LeonardS · 01-30-2022, 07:42 PM

Put an ad in the swap meet. There should be plenty of them around. Measure the location of oil return hole, so you get the correct one.

Bert’s in Denver would also have them.

Dodge · 01-30-2022, 08:03 PM

Used won't be a problem. Its probably one of the easiest pieces of the engine to find.

tinkirk · 01-30-2022, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1929 Leatherback

Good evening everyone.

Removed the valve cover off of my 29, only to find cracks around the area where the bolt is threaded into the cover at the oil return location. The problem is that who ever did previous work on it over tightened that bolt and now it has cracks in it. It's not broke out, but I don't really want to put it back together like that. If it were to breakout while on the road, it would pump the oil out.

My question here is, has anyone had to deal with something like this, or if I could I would buy a new one, but I cant seem to find any new ones

Thanks in advance!!

I have one if you would like it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gary WA · 01-30-2022, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1929 Leatherback

Good evening everyone.

Removed the valve cover off of my 29, only to find cracks around the area where the bolt is threaded into the cover at the oil return location. The problem is that who ever did previous work on it over tightened that bolt and now it has cracks in it. It's not broke out, but I don't really want to put it back together like that. If it were to breakout while on the road, it would pump the oil out.

My question here is, has anyone had to deal with something like this, or if I could I would buy a new one, but I cant seem to find any new ones

Thanks in advance!!

I have 6 of them but on west coast! Check with your local club! They will be glad to give you one i"m sure!

Bob Bidonde · 01-31-2022, 08:32 AM

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I have seen this a few times:

J and M Machine · 01-31-2022, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1929 Leatherback

Good evening everyone.

Removed the valve cover off of my 29, only to find cracks around the area where the bolt is threaded into the cover at the oil return location. The problem is that who ever did previous work on it over tightened that bolt and now it has cracks in it. It's not broke out, but I don't really want to put it back together like that. If it were to breakout while on the road, it would pump the oil out.

My question here is, has anyone had to deal with something like this, or if I could I would buy a new one, but I cant seem to find any new ones

Thanks in advance!!

There aren't any new ones available. What you're describing is a common problem as people overtighten the oil return pipe and it cracks the spokes.
We do the crack repair on those covers as finding a crack free one is nearly impossible after 92 years.

http://www.jandm-machine.com/crack_repair.html

31Tudor · 01-31-2022, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J and M Machine

There aren't any new ones available. What you're describing is a common problem as people overtighten the oil return pipe and it cracks the spokes.
We do the crack repair on those covers as finding a crack free one is nearly impossible after 92 years.

http://www.jandm-machine.com/crack_repair.html

I don't really think a crack free piece is nearly impossible to find. This piece is readily available and easy to find crack free. Like already pointed out, probably the easiest engine piece to find.

TomInCologne · 01-31-2022, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31Tudor

I don't really think a crack free piece is nearly impossible to find. This piece is readily available and easy to find crack free. Like already pointed out, probably the easiest engine piece to find.

Because every man and his dog buys a full flow oil filter kit and this part is within the kit?

katy · 01-31-2022, 10:32 AM

Weld or braze it up, put it back on but don't overtighten it.

burner31 · 01-31-2022, 10:45 AM

I have the same issue, could not find another, put it back on but tightened the bolt just to seal, been four years and no problems, not a drop of leakage.
I'm not going to worry about it at this time.

Gary WA · 01-31-2022, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31Tudor

I don't really think a crack free piece is nearly impossible to find. This piece is readily available and easy to find crack free. Like already pointed out, probably the easiest engine piece to find.

I agree I have 6 not cracked in the shop!

TomInCologne · 01-31-2022, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary WA

I agree I have 6 not cracked in the shop!

no wonder others have none...

Brentwood Bob · 01-31-2022, 12:19 PM

Have good ones, but I am out west. Must be the water.

1929 Leatherback · 02-01-2022, 08:39 PM

Thanks for all the help guys!! At least I know that all hope is not lost!! I do appreciate the help.

old ugly · 02-01-2022, 09:34 PM

there are two styles early and late. make sure you order the correct one or you will need a different drain tube.

if you want new you can get a new aluminum one that has a filter adapter on it.

old ugly · 02-01-2022, 09:39 PM

if you were totally stuck you could probably make an insert that fits into the cover from the back that will accommodate the attaching bolt.
i am sure you will find one,
i have 3 old style ones here i will send you one free . you pay for the shipping cost. probably $25 to ship???

01-30-2022, 07:37 PM	#1
1929 Leatherback Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 31	Cracked valve cover Good evening everyone. Removed the valve cover off of my 29, only to find cracks around the area where the bolt is threaded into the cover at the oil return location. The problem is that who ever did previous work on it over tightened that bolt and now it has cracks in it. It's not broke out, but I don't really want to put it back together like that. If it were to breakout while on the road, it would pump the oil out. My question here is, has anyone had to deal with something like this, or if I could I would buy a new one, but I cant seem to find any new ones Thanks in advance!!

01-30-2022, 07:42 PM	#2
LeonardS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jamestown, ND Posts: 657	Re: Cracked valve cover Put an ad in the swap meet. There should be plenty of them around. Measure the location of oil return hole, so you get the correct one. Bert’s in Denver would also have them.

01-30-2022, 08:03 PM	#3
Dodge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sonoma, CA. Posts: 1,497	Re: Cracked valve cover Used won't be a problem. Its probably one of the easiest pieces of the engine to find.

01-31-2022, 10:32 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Cracked valve cover Weld or braze it up, put it back on but don't overtighten it. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

01-31-2022, 10:45 AM	#11
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Cracked valve cover I have the same issue, could not find another, put it back on but tightened the bolt just to seal, been four years and no problems, not a drop of leakage. I'm not going to worry about it at this time. __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

01-31-2022, 12:19 PM	#14
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,246	Re: Cracked valve cover Have good ones, but I am out west. Must be the water.

02-01-2022, 08:39 PM	#15
1929 Leatherback Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 31	Re: Cracked valve cover Thanks for all the help guys!! At least I know that all hope is not lost!! I do appreciate the help.

02-01-2022, 09:34 PM	#16
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Cracked valve cover there are two styles early and late. make sure you order the correct one or you will need a different drain tube. if you want new you can get a new aluminum one that has a filter adapter on it. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

02-01-2022, 09:39 PM	#17
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Cracked valve cover if you were totally stuck you could probably make an insert that fits into the cover from the back that will accommodate the attaching bolt. i am sure you will find one, i have 3 old style ones here i will send you one free . you pay for the shipping cost. probably $25 to ship??? __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."