hi all,

i got a 4.9l that I'm replacing the gasket on the lifter cover(not sure of its official name). i noticed how flimsy this cover is and probably is part of the reason it leaks. my question is does anyone know of any company that sells an aftermarket cover that might be a little more solid?

thanks

 

Ive change this on my truck. It's a Push rod cover. Mine was sorta flimsy to but the gasket is a pretty thick rubber gasket and when u tighten it down it seal pretty good. Didn't have any problem with mine once I changed it. When u change it put a Little bit of gasket sealer or something on the backside of the gasket to the cover otherwise it's a pain and wants to fall out of the grooves when you put it back on.

 

ok - i'll try that thanks

 

I used to glue the gaskets in with 3M Trim cement. The only problem is they are a mess to get out if you have to change them at some later date. I often thought about fabricating a cover from some 3/16 stock steel or aluminum. You would have to get the groove for the gasket cut in with a milling machine. The other option would be to get the OE straight and take it to a foundry and use it as the pattern to pour on in aluminum. A well versed moulder could gain the extra thickness by the way he sets it in the sand. Shrinkage in aluminum is not that great that it should present a problem in the lenght of the piece. kotzy

 

Some swear by the use of Indian Head Gasket Shellac sealer. It is a Permatex product.

 

When I replaced mine I had to make sure the cover was flat. Some times is can get bent some and then it will leak. I used Permatex high tack gasket sealant to hold the rubber gasket to the cover. It was a breeze to put in then. I don't think you can put one on without using something to hold it in place.

 

dont over torque them bolts...look it up but the torque spec is somewhere round 24 or 27 INCH pounds not foot pounds

if you over torque the bolts it twists the panel then it doesnt seal...thats why you need to make sure its straight when it goes in cuz the torque is so small if its twisted in any way it wont seal either

they are pretty picky and can be a PITA for something so simple...lemme tell you they are 100x easier on carbd engines then EFI haha

 

I have searched and not found one. I would really like an aluminum one.

Jim

 

a nice trick finned aluminum cover would really dress up the side of the engine. of course, its already nearly impossible to get ahold of the nice, finned aluminum valve covers. when you put the cover back on, ensure that the edges around the bolt holes on the cover aren't dimpled down. if they are, gently work them back into shape. a body hammer and anvil (or bench vise) work well for this.

 

I had the same Problem. I ordered a valve cover from LMC truck. A chrome one and i haven't had a problem yet. It does get dirty tho, but if your not a clean freak like i am it wont matter haha.

 

A nice finned aluminum lifter cover would be a sharp addition to any engine. I wanted a bit more pazazz to my 300, so I took my lifter cover in to a shop and had it chromed for $70.

I don't care for the tinny chrome v. covers, but I like the shiny look, so I bought a used Clifford cover on ebay, stripped the paint off, and had it polished.

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