first time oil change / valve adjustment questions

[grahamkissack]

I'll be doing my first oil change / tranny oil change and valve adjustment this week on my 1980 911 SC. A few clarifications...

1. how much new oil do I add to the oil tank before I can start the engine to check the dip stick level to 50%?

2. how much oil (Swepco of course) does the 915 hold?

3. I saw the figure of 6 ft lbs torque on the valve covers....but I'm not sure I can get my torque wrench in there. Do most folks just tighten them down snug in a diagonal pattern?

4. Bought a Pelican high power headlight relay...do I just plug it in or are there other wiring changes needed with it?

Thanks, Graham

PS. I'm keeping the tartan plaid seats...found the fabric at Eagle.

[addictionMS]

1. how much new oil do I add to the oil tank before I can start the engine to check the dip stick level to 50%?

I would add aleast 8 qts

2. how much oil (Swepco of course) does the 915 hold?

Just less than what comes in the big jug of swepco,

3. I saw the figure of 6 ft lbs torque on the valve covers....but I'm not sure I can get my torque wrench in there. Do most folks just tighten them down snug in a diagonal pattern?

that will do it

Jim

[Zeke]

6 lbs is not much. Many torque wrenches don't go that low and if the do, it's not accuarate, IMO. An inch pound wrench is really what's needed.

Here's what I've found to be the case. A high torque value seems to be easy to hit. A low value on a gasket seems to stay the same for a whole turn or two of the nut. You should snug them up lightly and go back after some time, half hour would be plenty and recheck for an even feel to the nuts. Then, after running the car, recheck. The whole idea is too use as little torque as is necessary while keeping the covers from leaking. They have to be flat to start with, or no amount of torque will prevent leaks.

The relay I bought came with instructions and has to be wired in.

[kqw]

Milt is correct...

You must recheck after running the engine. I replaced mine a few days ago but after rechecking had to re-torque to 6 ft/lbs.

Also...Snap-on sells a 1/4" torque wrench that is digital and goes from 2 ft/lbs to 24 ft/lbs and it fits.

[aigel]

Get an inch pound torque wrench in there if you can! Even if the torque reading is not 100% accurate, you will be in the ballpark. The main issue is that you want those nuts all torqued EVENLY!

Diagonal pattern? I start on an inside stud and then spiral outward in a rotating motion when fastening anything of that sort. I guess that's what you meant.

If you get things clean, have the turbo covers on the bottom and use the quality graphite gaskets, you should have no leaks.

G