Hello,

How tight ft lb do the screws on the valve cover have to be tightened?

cK

Torque the bolts no tighter than say, 25 lbs. Cheap-skates never replace the $12 rubber gasket then over torque the bolts and crack the soft alloy valve cover when the old gasket starts leakin.

It's a very common problem among ham-handed grease monkeys to over-torque EVERYTHING....... 26 lbs is norm for most nuts 'n bolts - or tight experienced grip with short handled ratchet. Figure maximum human strength leaning on the ratchet is probably somewhere around 75 lbs and will over tax most stress points...... or make the nuts 'n bolts impossible to remove later on.

Which car? If it is the 1972 260SE 4.5 L V8 check to see if someone has the manual. I know the 300TD diesel calls for 15NM which is only 11 Ft Lbs. You don't want to over torque the valve cover or it may crack.
Have someone with the manual get the exact number for you.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car