valve cover gaskets
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
valve cover gaskets
I plan to replace valve cover and intake gaskets to fix a few leaks. I am more concerned with good sealing gaskets then with reusing them. Should I use rubber or cork? Any RTV or gasket cement? A bead of RTV on the intake ends, or gaskets with RTV at the corners? I realize it's not difficult, but I would like to do it only once. Any ideas are appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
i use "the right stuff" in the aerosol can for the intake manifold ends. I’m convinced it is better than the RTV in a tube.
I wouldn’t use the cork gaskets for the valve cover (on a daily driver). If the gasket you choose needs anything, use a spray hylomar.
edit: i also use the spray hylomar on the intake gaskets, both sides; even the fel-pro with printo seals.
jmho
I wouldn’t use the cork gaskets for the valve cover (on a daily driver). If the gasket you choose needs anything, use a spray hylomar.
edit: i also use the spray hylomar on the intake gaskets, both sides; even the fel-pro with printo seals.
jmho
Last edited by S489; Feb 20, 2007 at 12:26 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
My original valve covers on my '75 were warped. I got new valve
covers and used cork with a steel inbetween. (I did not have any
good luck with rubber gaskets.) Then put a good bead of gasket
cement on the covers, then the gaskets & let them cure overnight.
(There are some fast drying products on the market, too.) The point is
to have the gaskets firmily on the covers so they will not move when
you put them on. Never a problem in 5+ years- no leaks.
covers and used cork with a steel inbetween. (I did not have any
good luck with rubber gaskets.) Then put a good bead of gasket
cement on the covers, then the gaskets & let them cure overnight.
(There are some fast drying products on the market, too.) The point is
to have the gaskets firmily on the covers so they will not move when
you put them on. Never a problem in 5+ years- no leaks.
I did the same thing about a year ago (cork gasket, rtv on valve cover, set overnight, etc.). So far there have not been any leaks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
My 66 Big Block and my 74 sbc leaked like a sieve when I got them. Clean, straight valve covers, a little RTV between the covers and Felpro cork gaskets, proper torque on the valve cover bolts and no more leaks (from the top any way). Oil pan and the rear main are another story.
