Valve Covers Leaking
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Valve Covers Leaking
Anybody out there had problems where you just cant get your valve covers to stop leaking? I have after market fairly expensive chrome valve covers on my 350 and I used new fel-pro gaskets and the left side keeps leaking no matter how loose or snug the bolts are. Thanks for the help guys.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
I went from cast aluminum covers to really nice chrome steel ones and thats when I started having problems. Went back to cast aluminum covers with the Fel-Pro Dry fits and no more leaks.
Some steel covers tend to warp when they get hot.
Kona
Some steel covers tend to warp when they get hot.
Kona
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Originally Posted by wnmech
Anybody out there had problems where you just cant get your valve covers to stop leaking? I have after market fairly expensive chrome valve covers on my 350 and I used new fel-pro gaskets and the left side keeps leaking no matter how loose or snug the bolts are. Thanks for the help guys.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
The gasket is not sealing to the valve cover.You need to scuff the rails on the valve cover so you can glue the gasket to it.Once the gasket is glued in place it will seal,but you still need the spreaders to help hold the rails down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by wnmech
Guys these arent the cheap valve covers rhey are G.M. performance parts and they are nickel/chrome plated covers. Do any manufacturers make a thick gasket that would compensated for any machining surface errors?
But if you don't want to buy new ones,
with esc3, enough glue will work. If you rough up the surface and use gasgacinch that might work.
Last edited by enkeivette; Feb 1, 2006 at 01:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Just remember, Chrome will not get you home. I have trashed a couple sets of good chrome stamped steel covers. The aluminum covers are the best, but if you insist, scuff up the gasket surfaces and use GOOD steel spreaders with washers. Before you put them back on, check them with a straight edge across the bolt holes to see if they are still flat.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
These should help
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...5&autoview=sku
FEL-VS12869T $35.39
They resist high heat and vacuum.
Fel-Pro's PermaDry Plus valve cover gaskets feature precision edge-molded silicone rubber, which resists high heat and delivers reliable sealing on irregular surfaces. This silicone rubber is wrapped around a rigid carrier that adds strength to the gasket, to resist being sucked in under high vacuum or blown out when under pressure. At the same time, it also prevents over-tightening of the mounting bolts. Note, however, that these gaskets are not intended for race applications.
FEL-VS12869T $35.39
They resist high heat and vacuum.
Fel-Pro's PermaDry Plus valve cover gaskets feature precision edge-molded silicone rubber, which resists high heat and delivers reliable sealing on irregular surfaces. This silicone rubber is wrapped around a rigid carrier that adds strength to the gasket, to resist being sucked in under high vacuum or blown out when under pressure. At the same time, it also prevents over-tightening of the mounting bolts. Note, however, that these gaskets are not intended for race applications.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Originally Posted by panchop
i use those blue permenant gaskets. they work great.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,042
Likes: 674
From: FL
Steel bends. 
I use Mr. Gasket Ultraseal gaskets with my cast aluminum covers and ARP studs. The Ultraseals are cork gaskets with a non-stick coating so they don't tear when removing the valve covers.
Never had a need to glue the gaskets. No leaks and I can remove the valve covers easily.
I use Mr. Gasket Ultraseal gaskets with my cast aluminum covers and ARP studs. The Ultraseals are cork gaskets with a non-stick coating so they don't tear when removing the valve covers.
Never had a need to glue the gaskets. No leaks and I can remove the valve covers easily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Code:
FEL-VS12869T
