Valve cover trick
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
Valve cover trick
Most of you probably have a oem v.cover, so you may not have this problem, but if you do, like me, have the Clifford v.c., then I have learned something that may help.
I like to save money when I can. That is why I refuse to pay the inflated price of the Clifford v.c. gasket. And besides, even when I do use it it still needs to be trimmed. You have to use the 'rubber' Fel-pro gasket ($8.00, and I think the Cliff. one is about $20 with postage). The cork one just wont stretch. To get the gasket to stay you have to clean really well on the cover side, then glue and clamp it in place over night. If you don't, it just pulls out of place once it is installed and leaks a quart in a week. Wonderful mess on your under carriage!
I was pressed for time and could not wait 24 hours for the glue to dry. So what did I do? Super glue to the rescue!! I glued it in place, to the v.c. only, clamped it, and in 30 minutes it was use ready. Now if it holds I'll be real happy.
I like to save money when I can. That is why I refuse to pay the inflated price of the Clifford v.c. gasket. And besides, even when I do use it it still needs to be trimmed. You have to use the 'rubber' Fel-pro gasket ($8.00, and I think the Cliff. one is about $20 with postage). The cork one just wont stretch. To get the gasket to stay you have to clean really well on the cover side, then glue and clamp it in place over night. If you don't, it just pulls out of place once it is installed and leaks a quart in a week. Wonderful mess on your under carriage!
I was pressed for time and could not wait 24 hours for the glue to dry. So what did I do? Super glue to the rescue!! I glued it in place, to the v.c. only, clamped it, and in 30 minutes it was use ready. Now if it holds I'll be real happy.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
It may do the trick...but I'm thinking the super glue might not be quite flexible enough. Time will tell though.
http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...c_Compound.htm
That stuff tends to be a bit messy but some users swear by it.
http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...c_Compound.htm
That stuff tends to be a bit messy but some users swear by it.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
Harte3: Thanks for the tip. I use Indian head gasket compound, and am aware of several others as well, but because the Cliffy requires an oem gasket to be trimmed and stretched in places (even the Cliff. gasket for his own v.cover has to be trimmed!!) the I.H. compound just won't work. It won't hold. Clifford even recommends using weather strip adhesive and letting it dry over night before installation. The adhesive has to hold the gasket and keep it from sliding out of its stretched position even after the cover is installed. K
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,085
Likes: 245
From: Fresno, CA.
That is interesting that the Clifford gasket does not fit its own valve cover without trimming. Especially when it costs two and half times more than a stock oem gasket. Shame on them. 
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
I should say that the original Clifford gasket lasted 2 1/2 years with out a leak, even though I had it off several times. It did not fail until I tightened the end bolt w/o regard to evenly tightening the adjacent nuts, and split the gasket. Also, when I mention trimming the gasket, it is a simple matter of using some tin snips and a marker, and done in 20 minutes. For the cosmetic 'zing' it gives my engine, I am happy to have it, and happy to have spent the $. It also allows me to try roller rockers w/o worry. The diff between an oem cover and the Clifford cover is night and day.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
I went over the v.cover bolts just like my header/int. bolts: Tighten, run for a while, let cool to touch, retighten, repeat one more time and forget about it.
The $7. Gasket worked fine once trimmed, super glued and clamped for a few minutes. So It did save me some money. And I learned something in the process: The EFI head has a diff. v.cover gasket/bolt hole spacing than the pre efi head.
The $7. Gasket worked fine once trimmed, super glued and clamped for a few minutes. So It did save me some money. And I learned something in the process: The EFI head has a diff. v.cover gasket/bolt hole spacing than the pre efi head.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mike L
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Oct 25, 2015 01:32 AM
granny_rocket
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Oct 23, 2013 10:47 PM
TheWingnut
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
20
Aug 17, 2009 08:26 PM
scratcherky
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
7
Apr 19, 2002 02:42 PM
