valve cover gaskets
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
Most people today recommend the rubber ones. I'm kinda old school myself and I just keep on using the cork ones. Never really had a problem with them. I always clean all gaskets surfaces, use something like acetone or carb cleaner as a final wipe down to remove any residue, and then use a sealer on both sides.
Good Luck!
Tracy
Good Luck!
Tracy
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Make sure first of all that the sealing gasket surfaces of the valve covers are straight and flat.
I have used both cork and rubber over the years, and prefer rubber over the long haul, but cork have served me well with this process:
1. Ensure the gasket mating surfaces are flat, straight and clean.
2. Use a thin layer of RTV sealant on the valve cover, and press the gasket in place.
3. Make sure the holes in the gasket and the cover match up.
4. Let dry overnight, if possible. This prevents the gasket from moving out of place when the bolts are tightened down.
5. Install the valve covers. Do not use sealant between the gasket and the head; it is easier to remove it from the valve cover than from the head.
Tighten the bolts down hand tight, using a socket and extension. I have found that I usually need to tighten them 1/2 turn to prevent seepage, but I wait until it is necessary to tighten them.
I have used both cork and rubber over the years, and prefer rubber over the long haul, but cork have served me well with this process:
1. Ensure the gasket mating surfaces are flat, straight and clean.
2. Use a thin layer of RTV sealant on the valve cover, and press the gasket in place.
3. Make sure the holes in the gasket and the cover match up.
4. Let dry overnight, if possible. This prevents the gasket from moving out of place when the bolts are tightened down.
5. Install the valve covers. Do not use sealant between the gasket and the head; it is easier to remove it from the valve cover than from the head.
Tighten the bolts down hand tight, using a socket and extension. I have found that I usually need to tighten them 1/2 turn to prevent seepage, but I wait until it is necessary to tighten them.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
I've used cork before. The first time I ever did the gaskets I thought it would be a good idea to use sealant on both surfaces.(stupid,stupid, stupid) When I went to tighten up the bolts, the gasket ripped on the inside where I could'nt see & the 1st time I took it the for a ride I went to a fast food drive thru and to the bank. When I shut it off in the bank parking lot I looked under the wheel well & I had oil dripping out & burning. I had to use my super-sized Pepsi to put it out. So like Banjo said sealant on valve cover only. LOL Live & learn.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I do like banjopicker above but use a little grease on the head side of the gasket to help it release and 3M weatherstrip adhesive or spray adhesive on the cover side.
About half of the failures are due to over tightening the bolts and the other half are due to deformed valve cover flanges. The few remaining failures are due to improper cleanup.
About half of the failures are due to over tightening the bolts and the other half are due to deformed valve cover flanges. The few remaining failures are due to improper cleanup.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
valve cover gaskets
What do people recomend for valve cover gaskets,Cork or rubber?If rubber should I use some kind of sealant?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Whitehorse Yukon
Rubber felpro here, i use weatherstrip adhesive to glue mine to the covers, Anything chrome is hard to seal, i have moroso tall chrome covers at least until the budget allows for a set of ford racing aluminum ones.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: right here in michigan
i use rubber with no sealant.maybe some adhesive if the gaskets don't have the tabs to hold them to the cover.use load spreaders under the bolts ,this helps so the cover doesn't get puckered around the bolt hole so bad.i've re-used the same rubber gaskets for quite a while,solid roller cam,so have to adjust and or check lash occasionally and the gaskets are still good.don't think cork would hold up as well in my application.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
When I ran solids on my 390 I ran rubber for several years. I also had a pair of cut down valve covers to put on for adjusting the valves while the engine was running. The lip on the covers kept oil from running all over. The cutoffs used rubber and the adhesive kept the gasket on the covers when not in use. That car had to be tuned up every 30 days or so with new plugs etc. 12.5:1 9000RPM and 500HP seemed to eat plugs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
rubber used here if avail for application but cork is fine in easy to access or out of veh builds where covers do not have to be removed for adjustments often
lightly roughen the gaskets surface on chrome valve covers or polished aluminum with a dremel or light grinder for added seal grip...also works on those slippery as snot chromed front timing chain covers....no more slipped gasket leaks....also aftermarket oil pans with flat sealing surfaces to grab and hold in gasket
i like the Permatex liquid in a can gasket sealers/adhesives on both rubber and cork....just plain old heavy moly wheel bearing sticky grease works well on cork to hold in place without movement, seals well also
lightly roughen the gaskets surface on chrome valve covers or polished aluminum with a dremel or light grinder for added seal grip...also works on those slippery as snot chromed front timing chain covers....no more slipped gasket leaks....also aftermarket oil pans with flat sealing surfaces to grab and hold in gasket
i like the Permatex liquid in a can gasket sealers/adhesives on both rubber and cork....just plain old heavy moly wheel bearing sticky grease works well on cork to hold in place without movement, seals well also
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Sep 12, 2006 at 05:41 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 0
From: Kiefer, Northeastern Okla
I'm using the rubber with steel core, fabricated aluminum covers with billet rails on my 347. Just a light spray of white lithium grease on both sides of the gasket to get it "wet". Studs help hold the gasket in place, rather than bolts. Same thing on my oil pan. Speaking of which, I found some billet aluminum rails that keep the pan rails from warping, and spread the load evenly- another idea I wish I woulda come up with....
Pete
Pete
