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Can a loose bail be rebent?
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MountainKeep
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:48 am    Post subject: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

Has anyone had any luck re-bending a loose fitting valve cover bail? Bend it cold? Bend it hot? Re-heat treat afterwards?

Thanks,
Layne
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airschooled
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:11 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

How bent are we talking? Small corrections for fit can usually be done by hand or with pliers. To be honest I usually just press them into whatever pavement I'm working on and move on to the next task at hand. Razz

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MountainKeep
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:20 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

Just a small adjustment would suffice I think. It is just too easy to get on and off compared to the other one.. and I have had leak issues on that side from the gasket bending/sliding upwards at the bottom after a while. A weak bail seemed to me to be the most parsimonious explanation.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:58 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

If your bales aren't made by VW then I'd replace them. If they are I'd say a slight bend won't hurt. If you decide to buy original bales, I have someone I can recommend.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:09 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

If they are a rusty mess I would be looking at replacing them.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:11 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

MountainKeep wrote:
Just a small adjustment would suffice I think. It is just too easy to get on and off compared to the other one.. and I have had leak issues on that side from the gasket bending/sliding upwards at the bottom after a while. A weak bail seemed to me to be the most parsimonious explanation.


I don't think there's such a thing as a bale that's too tight, so go for the bend.

If your gaskets are getting sucked inward, you can adhere the gasket to the cover with shellac. I use this stuff, buy it locally for half price…

https://www.amazon.com/Versachem-Gasket-Shellac-bottle-52000/dp/B0002JN5GK

Once you've followed ALL the directions on the bottle, (apply thin even coats to BOTH surfaces, wait a few minutes, assemble tightly,) run a THIN and even smear of grease around the head-side of the cork. This prevents the gasket from sticking, and keeps it hydrated, which is how I have three laps around planet earth on my RS valve cover gasket. Cool

Robbie
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:15 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

often the leak on a valve cover comes because it is tweaked. Take the gasket off and set it on the head. See if it rocks. If it does use your hands to straighten it until it doesn't rock. You can grab the bale in each hand and bend it towards the center on the line it attaches to get a little more tension. All the tension in the world won't stop a leak if the cover is tweaked. Also make sure the cover gaskets you are using are still pliable. If they have hardened to like a rock they won't seal well.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:38 am    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

MountainKeep wrote:
most parsimonious explanation.


You win...

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

There’s a guy Gareth in the U.K. who makes good Bales

+1000 points for using parsimonious in Fora
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

Abscate wrote:
There’s a guy Gareth in the U.K. who makes good Bales

+1000 points for using parsimonious in Fora


Fora as in áit chruinnithe ?
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

Thanks for the info and links everyone. I believe the bale to be original VW and not rusty, so I will try and bend it back a tiny bit and give it another try. It just obviously needs to be tighter than it is... 49 years of valve adjustments I suppose.
I tend to believe the cover is straight, because it won't leak for some time after new cork seals... then start leaking suddenly... I would think if it the cover were warped it would leak right off the bat... but I will check it when I have it off next.

And "I'mAddicted"... Occam's Razor is the only kind of razor I ever use! Laughing
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Can a loose bail be rebent? Reply with quote

MountainKeep wrote:
Thanks for the info and links everyone. I believe the bale to be original VW and not rusty, so I will try and bend it back a tiny bit and give it another try. It just obviously needs to be tighter than it is... 49 years of valve adjustments I suppose.
I tend to believe the cover is straight, because it won't leak for some time after new cork seals... then start leaking suddenly... I would think if it the cover were warped it would leak right off the bat... but I will check it when I have it off next.

And "I'mAddicted"... Occam's Razor is the only kind of razor I ever use! Laughing

Until you check it with the gasket off you won't know if it is tweaked. The newer gaskets are thinner and less pliable. If the cover sticks when you are pulling it off, it will twist the cover a tiny bit, and the bale will not pull the corners in evenly.
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