Valve Covers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Mokena IL
Valve Covers
Finally after four years of delay my son and I took our first trip around the block in our "76 Stingray.
To our dismay the valve covers are leaking like a sieve.
We have installed Dart Iron Eagle heads and some trans dapt valve covers with rubber gaskets. We also used the longer hold downs.
What can we do?
To our dismay the valve covers are leaking like a sieve.
We have installed Dart Iron Eagle heads and some trans dapt valve covers with rubber gaskets. We also used the longer hold downs.
What can we do?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 774
Likes: 375
From: Seattle WA
Finally after four years of delay my son and I took our first trip around the block in our "76 Stingray.
To our dismay the valve covers are leaking like a sieve.
We have installed Dart Iron Eagle heads and some trans dapt valve covers with rubber gaskets. We also used the longer hold downs.
What can we do?
To our dismay the valve covers are leaking like a sieve.
We have installed Dart Iron Eagle heads and some trans dapt valve covers with rubber gaskets. We also used the longer hold downs.
What can we do?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,665
Likes: 2,564
They seem to make lots of valve covers so not sure what you have, sheet metal or cast?
Did you use gasket sealant on the gasket to the cover?
Did you check if the flange was straight?
If sheet metal have to you tried spreaders under the hold downs?
Did you use gasket sealant on the gasket to the cover?
Did you check if the flange was straight?
If sheet metal have to you tried spreaders under the hold downs?
Last edited by MelWff; Oct 19, 2020 at 12:50 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Isn't Dart the heads with a shallower valve cover ledge than normal? If so, the valve cover is not at fault here.
All that top-end oil pools around the valve-spring pockets before draining out. A too short of ledge puts the oil just that much closer to the cover gasket. Especially during acceleration / cornering.
Not a big fan of rubber or pure silicone gaskets. They have no pores. Therefore you can never use an adhesive / sealant. Where as, a cork gasket has thousands of pores and will accept an RTV easily. But pure cork has issues too.
Why not compromise and use both? Composite gaskets from FelPro are finely ground up cork and silicone pieces mixed together then formed to shape. They will take RTV, retain their shape and not shrink and seem to handle hot oil better.
All that top-end oil pools around the valve-spring pockets before draining out. A too short of ledge puts the oil just that much closer to the cover gasket. Especially during acceleration / cornering.
Not a big fan of rubber or pure silicone gaskets. They have no pores. Therefore you can never use an adhesive / sealant. Where as, a cork gasket has thousands of pores and will accept an RTV easily. But pure cork has issues too.
Why not compromise and use both? Composite gaskets from FelPro are finely ground up cork and silicone pieces mixed together then formed to shape. They will take RTV, retain their shape and not shrink and seem to handle hot oil better.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Oct 19, 2020 at 03:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Whatever gasket and cover you use, you MUST:
1. clean ALL oil & grease from the gasket surfaces on valve covers AND BLOCK!
2. If you choose to use sealant on the gasket, put a very light wipe of it on BOTH sides of the gasket; use ONLY Permatex #2 gasket sealer.
[Allow sealant to cure overnight before firing engine]
3. Apply as little bolt torque as will seal the gaskets (50-75 INCH-pounds...no more).
Using too much bolt torque is the #! KILLER for valve cover leaks...especially for stamped metal covers.
1. clean ALL oil & grease from the gasket surfaces on valve covers AND BLOCK!
2. If you choose to use sealant on the gasket, put a very light wipe of it on BOTH sides of the gasket; use ONLY Permatex #2 gasket sealer.
[Allow sealant to cure overnight before firing engine]
3. Apply as little bolt torque as will seal the gaskets (50-75 INCH-pounds...no more).
Using too much bolt torque is the #! KILLER for valve cover leaks...especially for stamped metal covers.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 312
Likes: 64
From: Henry county ohio
FelPro steel core re-inforced rubber gaskets. About 30 bucks for the set.
Clean and dry sealing surfaces are very important with rubber gaskets. Any
sealant that is applied, will act as a lubricant.
You can "glue" the gasket to the valve cover with ultra-black permatex rtv. Put a couple heavy books on top of the cover as clamps, until it is cured.
Seals, and won't leak, if given half a chance.
Also, as stated before, check your bolt length, and make sure your covers are straight.
If they are steel, generally you can flatten them.
Aluminum? I can't say, as the only experience I have with aluminum valve covers, is with heavy duty truck engine valve covers. They are a very heavy casting, and don't warp. They also used captured rubber or re-inforced rubber gaskets.
Good luck with your project.
Jeff
Clean and dry sealing surfaces are very important with rubber gaskets. Any
sealant that is applied, will act as a lubricant.
You can "glue" the gasket to the valve cover with ultra-black permatex rtv. Put a couple heavy books on top of the cover as clamps, until it is cured.
Seals, and won't leak, if given half a chance.
Also, as stated before, check your bolt length, and make sure your covers are straight.
If they are steel, generally you can flatten them.
Aluminum? I can't say, as the only experience I have with aluminum valve covers, is with heavy duty truck engine valve covers. They are a very heavy casting, and don't warp. They also used captured rubber or re-inforced rubber gaskets.
Good luck with your project.
Jeff
