Ford 640 valve cover

martyh · Aug 26, 2015

I worked my new to me 640 pretty hard yesterday and the last time I came out of the field I see that the valve cover is leaking. Obviously I will
try to snug it up and see if that enough. However, I bought a couple new gasket sets with the two little seals to properly reseal it. Will I be able to
clear everything to get the valve cover out without having to disassemble the tractor?

WayneIA · Aug 26, 2015

Fordfarmer · Aug 26, 2015

It's a tight fit, but the valve cover can removed and replaced without removing anything else. Be careful thst you don't over-tighten the nuts holding it on - that will cause leaks.

martyh · Aug 26, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:32:55 08/26/15) It's a tight fit, but the valve cover can removed and replaced without removing anything else. Be careful thst you don't over-tighten the nuts holding it on - that will cause leaks.

I think the tractor sat for a while before it was painted and sold. I am expecting leaks and problems like this for a while as I return it to a daily runner. It will be stored indoors 100% of the time and I'll try to make it better every time I work on it. I am not the type of person who buys something and "consumes" it until there is nothing left. So, if simply snugging up the valve cover doesn't stop the leak, I'll take it off, bead blast and repaint it before resealing it with a new gasket and a skin coat of #2 Form-A-Gasket.

showcrop · Aug 26, 2015

The cover is formed with a 1/4 circle curve on the exhaust side so that you can just roll it out towards you on the distributor side.

john in la · Aug 26, 2015

Over tightening the bolts is the number 1 cause of valve covers leaking.
When you over tighten the bolts you bend the cover down at the bolt holes making the rest of the cover loose.
When you get the cover off and clean turn it upside down and with a small ball peen hammer hit the bolt hole with the ball side of the hammer to bend it back up.

souNdguy · Aug 26, 2015

ditto what the others said. it's likely already been over tightened.

pull it off and regasket after correcting cover.

yes, there is room to take it off.

NoNewParts · Aug 26, 2015

ya, it's possible to get the cover off.
sometimes you will wonder on some..........
But, when you pull it..be honest with yourself with what you see/find..
If the gasket is stuck or in pieces and/or the top of the engine is a mucked up mess.....
sigh...and pull the hood and tank.
If you don't have a nice clean head sealing surface..you are wasting your time, and to clean it right, ya gotta be able to get to it and see it.

Ford 640 valve cover

martyh

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WayneIA

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Fordfarmer

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martyh

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showcrop

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john in la

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souNdguy

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NoNewParts

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