valve cover leak
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
valve cover leak
I have a bad valve cover leak that I cant stop. Im using stock 1980 L-82 covers , cork gaskets , and mobil 1 15-50and dart iron eagle heads. Ive heard not to use the cork gaskets with synthetic oil. So, any sugesstions on the BEST gaskets to use , any sealant that might help etc..Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
Re: valve cover leak (gw)
i had heard to use rubber gaskets with syn oil also, but don't know if they are available for our cars. i do know this, get the surfaces on the heads and the valve covers as clean as possible, don't use much sealer if any at all, maybe just enough to hold the gaskets in place, AND don't over tighten the hold down bolts. this just distorts the heck out of everything and makes them leak worse. the previous owner of my car subscribed to the "tighten the snot out of it" theory. :nonod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: valve cover leak (gw)
I got my rubber gaskets from Summit and they work very well with the Mobile 1. I also had a bad valve cover leak that I thought was a rear main seal leak. I had thick cork gaskets on my valve covers and when I went to the rubber I didn't realize that the hold down bolts were too long. They barely compressed the gasket and on a few bolts they didn't compress them at all. The problem was that during idle they didn't leak but while running with the larger amount of oil being sent to the valvetrain they leaked down the back of the engine. I changed over to studs and nuts and the problem was solved. I haven't had a leak since. Hope this helps.
[Modified by vettfixr, 7:43 AM 11/19/2002]
[Modified by vettfixr, 7:43 AM 11/19/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Re: valve cover leak (gw)
You can get rubber gaskets for your '80. You can buy them through JEGS, Summit or any mail order place. I travel down to the auto parts store and buy a set of Fel-Pro. No need to pay for S&H if you don't have to.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: valve cover leak (gw)
Yep, got my felpro rubber valve cover gaskets from Auto Zone. Suggest you check your valve covers once removed with a straightedge, as it's possible that they've become slightly warped from years of overtightning of valve cover bolts. If so, can probably fix with careful use of a file to remove high spots, which are most likely around the bolt holes.
Also a good idea to use studs/nuts, especially for those using aluminum heads.
Also a good idea to use studs/nuts, especially for those using aluminum heads.
Racer
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: MESA, AZ, USA
Re: valve cover leak (gw)
Before you go to all the trouble of buying new gaskets take a look at the valve covers and make sure the gasket surfaces are flat. Take 'um off the car and place a long staight edge on the surface, or just lay them on something that you know is flat. It doesn't take much of a bend or dent to allow a leak even with the covers "correctly" installed. I put sealer on the cover side, but nothing on the engine. Sure makes replacing them alot easier the next time.
Andy
Andy
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Racer
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: MESA, AZ, USA
Re: valve cover leak (gw)
Oh yes, one more thing. Check that your PCV system is working and you don't have positive pressure inside your engine. Too much "blow by" and a poorly working PCV can cause pressure in the engine that will blow the gaskets out and oil right along with it.
Andy
Andy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: valve cover leak (WATTAC)
I use Felpro too and no leaks. When I replaced mine, I used #100 grit sandpaper to smooth out the area where the gasket meets the cover. Also check for warped areas as previously described.
Do not over tighten them either
Do not over tighten them either
