What is the best way to seal factory stamped valve covers? I have made sure they are flat and clean. Cork gasket, rubber gasket, no gasket and use sealer?

 

I've used cork with silicone. Never had a problem. Just don't over tighten.

 

Thanks, that is what I have always done also. I need to do it again on a pickup I am working on and wanted to make sure there wasn't any better options now.

 

X2. BTW, the Ford TA 31 silicone seals well but is a little easier to remove the valve cover than some of the other silicones. Also, might get a set of valve cover spreader bars to help prevent bending the cover around the bolts.

 

I used a little gaskacinch on the valve cover to gasket mating surface.
It held it in place while placing valve cover onto heads.
Make sure the valve covers are flat around the mating surface.

 

Agreed. In a performance application probably the best way. I just like keeping things looking original. Also, IMO, if the cover is bending, it's too tight.

 

Thanks all for the tips. When I got this pickup the covers leaked like crazy, I wanted to make sure I did it right when I put them back on.


Thanks again,
Jim