Ok...I went to adjust my valves this weekend and to replace the valve cover gasket to stop oil from seeping out. Everything went well except that when I went to torque down the valve cover nuts I found that two of the bolts portruding from the head used to seat the valve cover on to which I was torquing down on were stripped slightly. Thus I could not torque it down properly and no doubt oil will continue to seep out. If I had a tap and Dye set I could probably fix this myself but unfortunatley I dont, and Id probably want the new parts anyway. Does anyone have a part # for these bolts or know of a place to get them apart from the dealer?

__________________
1983 300SD White with Grey interior

Depending on exactly where the stud is stripped, you might be able to put a washer or two under a new nut and get adequate torque. (I realize that those studs don't have much extra length.) Removing the stud always carries the risk that it will break off. The associated aggravation will make a die look inexpensive.

Good grief! I call that "gorilla factor". From what I have read, the torque on those nuts is only supposed to be 11 ft/lbs. Over-torquing rubber gaskets usually leads to leaks.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Which leads to more overtorqing, which makes the leak worse and the process is repeated until something gives.

Which is why I went to correct the problem this weekend torquing to the specifics of 15 ft. lbs. Unfortunatley I could not get that far as the studs are slightly stripped and eat the threading on the nuts before I can get it far enough down. One nut was stuck and when I went to loosen it, it loosened the whole stud. Thus I was thinking I might as well just replace the studs....Or should I just invest in some new tools?

__________________
1983 300SD White with Grey interior

If the studs are loose, I would just replace them. If they are not loose, you run the risk of breaking them off.

To answer your question on where to find replacements, you could call Phil and see if he can get them. But, since they rarely need replacement, you will probably have to get them from the dealer. The other alternative might be salvage if the dealer wants an organ donation.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I would find the proper die and try to clean up the threads. As has been mentioned you don't need to tighten the nuts down much so the repaired threads should be fine.

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine