Valve cover gaskets
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
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Valve cover gaskets
Has anyone used the FelPro Perma Dry Plus gaskets? Are they worth the premium price? My right valve cover has an annoying leak at the bottom rear. I have used a cork gasket & Permatex but it does not seem to last more than a few months. Any input will be welcomed.
Racer
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From: Los Angeles CA
Le Mans Master
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From: McHenry Illinois
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Intermediate
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
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Worth every penny. Get them from Advance auto online and get your discount coupon here
Melting Slicks
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2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
EXACTLY! And be sure to tap down the bulges around thebolt holes in the valve covers from being overtightened to compensate for leaks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The 'primo' valve cover gaskets are worth the price...IF you need to pull those covers regularly. But, if you just want to seal them up, buy the Fel-Pro composition gaskets (cork & rubber) and use sealant between the gasket and the covers. Then, wipe the mating surfaces of the heads off with lacquer thinner or other solvent and install the cover/gasket assemblies using correct bolt torque, applied in stages (1/3, 2/3, & full torque). Unless you have a chipped edge on a mating surface of one of the heads, they won't leak. (And, you can still remove them, if needed.)
Le Mans Master
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Something like this,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3434/overview/
can go a long way toward avoiding distortion of the valve cover flange. They spread the pressure out over the gasket area. Don't over tighten.
Scott
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3434/overview/
can go a long way toward avoiding distortion of the valve cover flange. They spread the pressure out over the gasket area. Don't over tighten.
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
3M trim cement {yellow or black}
Either one are good choices...As suggested above by a few members, only the vqlve cover gets gets the cement and as it gets tacky after a few minutes lay the gasket to the valve cover held securely by most any objects until it drys solid {about a 1/2 hour}.....The gasket will not be affected by rockers or anything else under there...as some engines have interference items hid under the covers,,,they won't get bumped causing a leak you can't see...and .for the head surface some wheel bearing grease is all that's needed
A Hint, don't use those silicone sealers for valve covers ...BIG mistake
A Hint, don't use those silicone sealers for valve covers ...BIG mistake
Le Mans Master
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From: Hermosa
Something like this,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3434/overview/
can go a long way toward avoiding distortion of the valve cover flange. They spread the pressure out over the gasket area. Don't over tighten.
Scott
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3434/overview/
can go a long way toward avoiding distortion of the valve cover flange. They spread the pressure out over the gasket area. Don't over tighten.
Scott
I use spreaders on each bolt, longest ones I could find, stamped valve covers and feel pro gaskets. No leaks. Valve covers go on and off over time so wouldn't want to use any kind of glue. I've had mine on and off at least 5 times, still no leaks.
Melting Slicks
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http://www.permatex.com/products-2/p...-liquid-detail
Last edited by cagotzmann; Jun 10, 2014 at 12:45 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Draper Utah
I got tired of leaky valve covers so I bought the Fel-Pro Molded Silicone Rubber gaskets (part #1628 for a small block). They are a little pricey but I have yet to hear of anyone having a leak issue after using them. They require no sealent and they are reusable. They also have stainless steel compression limiters to prevent overtightening.