I am replacing my composite valve cover on.

JJB4439

MEMBER
1997 SATURN SL2
115,000 MILES

Hi, I am replacing my composite valve cover on my '97 saturn sl2 with an aluminum cover from a '94 sl2. This is a legitimate swap. I didn't want another composite cover that would easily warp again. Everything fits, but I need the valve cover bolts for the aluminum cover, since the composite cover bolts don't fit. Trouble is, I can't locate the correct bolts anywhere. And the only specs I can find on the bolts is that they are t40 torx bolts. No specs on how long the bolt is, or how big the shoulder is. I'm trying to find an aftermarket bolt that would work.

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013 AT 7:51 PM

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Have you considered a salvage yard? Find the same valve cover and you will have found the bolts you need.

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Thursday, March 21st, 2013 AT 12:25 AM

JJB4439

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have already called every salvage yard in the northwest, and none seem to have the correct bolts.

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Thursday, March 21st, 2013 AT 4:09 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

This may be a case of they don't want to bother or they don't want to remove parts from an engine that could be sold. You need to go right to the yards, particularly one of the pick-your-own-parts yards that are springing up all over. There's a real nice chain of yards between Ohio and southern Georgia called "Pull-A-Part". I've been to 16 of their 23 yards. They are real clean and well-organized. Parts are REAL inexpensive, and employees and customers are very friendly and helpful. You pay your buck, throw your tool box in one of their wheel barrows, and you can spend all day there. I found a similar yard in St. Louis, MO but it was very dirty and parts were outrageously expensive.

If you still can't find anything, I'm way over due to make a road trip to the yard in Indianapolis to find some wheels for my '88 Grand Caravan. I always have a long list of stuff to look for and I can look for bolts too.

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Thursday, March 21st, 2013 AT 8:22 AM