BB Valve Cover Leaks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Are they flat? Make sure the sealing edges are flat and square. Not bent where someone overtorqued the bolts. I also use the factory reinforcements on all the bolts. And then are you using factory heads? or aftermarket? I saw a post not too long ago someone had aftermarket heads and they had cut halfway thru the gasket surface to clear someting in the head? I use El-Cheapo rocker gaskets on my BB because I get to adjust valves, and never had a problem with them leaking..
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Corvair valve Cover Tie Downs
This goes back a long way but in keeping with what TimAT said. Using the reinforcements under the bolts is a good thing.
Years ago, we used (and I still do) the Corvair valve cover reinforcement/tiedowns. They are a lot beefier and longer than the stock BB units (probably 3/16 inch thick). They apply more downward pressure to those pesky low side valve cover gaskets.
Are you using cork or the fel-pro rubber?
Bob
Years ago, we used (and I still do) the Corvair valve cover reinforcement/tiedowns. They are a lot beefier and longer than the stock BB units (probably 3/16 inch thick). They apply more downward pressure to those pesky low side valve cover gaskets.
Are you using cork or the fel-pro rubber?
Bob
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
This goes back a long way but in keeping with what TimAT said. Using the reinforcements under the bolts is a good thing.
Years ago, we used (and I still do) the Corvair valve cover reinforcement/tiedowns. They are a lot beefier and longer than the stock BB units (probably 3/16 inch thick). They apply more downward pressure to those pesky low side valve cover gaskets.
Are you using cork or the fel-pro rubber?
Bob
Years ago, we used (and I still do) the Corvair valve cover reinforcement/tiedowns. They are a lot beefier and longer than the stock BB units (probably 3/16 inch thick). They apply more downward pressure to those pesky low side valve cover gaskets.
Are you using cork or the fel-pro rubber?
Bob
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Springs?
Wow, I was sort of afraid that you would ask that question.
Wonder if any of the repo people dealing with Corvairs would have them?
They are tricker than S&&t if you can find them.
Dude, can't believe that I still had a couple in the original boxes sitting in my tool box. The GM part number on that box is:
#3850874 and they are called springs (don't ask me why cause they don't look anything like a spring)
See if that number is still good or can be crossed by the Corvair repo people.
They are worth the trouble to find.
HTH
Bob
Wonder if any of the repo people dealing with Corvairs would have them?
They are tricker than S&&t if you can find them.
Dude, can't believe that I still had a couple in the original boxes sitting in my tool box. The GM part number on that box is:
#3850874 and they are called springs (don't ask me why cause they don't look anything like a spring)
See if that number is still good or can be crossed by the Corvair repo people.
They are worth the trouble to find.
HTH
Bob
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Guyton, (Savannah) Georgia
Fixing Valve Cover leak
All of this sounds good. I usually clean off the old gasket make sure the top of the head and bottom of the valve cover are dry. (Carefully clean them with acetone or brake kleen) Take a small pien hammer to the inside valve cover bolt holes to make sure they are flat or very slightly bent up. Use 3M weatherstipping glue to glue the gasket to the valve cover. Let that cure for a little bit then put RTV (or Room Temperature Vulcanizing) on the block side of the gasket and let that cure for 10 to 15 minutes. Put the valve covers on and torque to spec. Let that dry for an hour or so before you start it. Also, make sure your PCV vacuum is working correctly. If you do not have enough PCV vacuum, the pressure will aid in the valve cover leak.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Shoemakersville Pa
Also, make sure your PCV vacuum is working correctly. If you do not have enough PCV v
Since I just got this back togrther I don't have any PCV stuff connected yet. I would'nt have thought this would make a difference with the valve covers leaking
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
These guys have 'em...
Clark's Corvair on the east coast, or Corvair Underground on the west. Also, Larry's Corvairs in L.A.
Kragen/Shuck's/Checker has 'em in chrome as well, at least the Kragen in my town. I use 'em on my SB 327 race engine in the T/A.
Kragen/Shuck's/Checker has 'em in chrome as well, at least the Kragen in my town. I use 'em on my SB 327 race engine in the T/A.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Guyton, (Savannah) Georgia
I would'nt have thought this would make a difference with the valve covers leaking
Slight pressure builds up inside the crankcase without PCV and that pressure will find a way out. With a vent in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation hole and weak gaskets, it can aid in the gaskets leaking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
You try using those big thick (approx 5/16) metal center gaskets - be made by Fel Pro? Got them on mine and not so much as a drop. They have been off 10 or 15 times and still won't leak. Cost like 40.00 but worth it. No sealer needed. FPP-1635.
Last edited by Hvymtlc5; Feb 6, 2007 at 02:17 PM.
