Valve cover gaskets
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
Valve cover gaskets
Anyone have a favorite valve cover gasket for sbc chevy? '78 with a 383 in it now. Kicking myself for not getting a pic of the covers. I didnt realize there was so many options... I thought it was just cork vs rubber and whether theyre pre 86 or later with outer or center bolt covers.
I got some time waiting on some parts, figured id take care of the oil leak lol
I got some time waiting on some parts, figured id take care of the oil leak lol
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
For a period-correct SBC with 4 perimeter bolts, get a pair of FEL-PRO 1628 valve cover gaskets. No RTV required.
For center-bolt SBCs (like a ZZ4 or L98), I think the part is the FEL-PRO VS 50088R.
For center-bolt SBCs (like a ZZ4 or L98), I think the part is the FEL-PRO VS 50088R.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 693
Likes: 334
From: Aubrey TX
If you have aftermarket heads like I do, I prefer the Speedway thick gaskets.
5/16" thick cork/neoprene blend
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...Thick,695.html
I did find that I had to re-torque the valve cover bolts a few times after putting 20 or 30 miles on the car but NO leaks.
5/16" thick cork/neoprene blend
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...Thick,695.html
I did find that I had to re-torque the valve cover bolts a few times after putting 20 or 30 miles on the car but NO leaks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
JoeB,
I won't give you a part number but will give you some history on V.C. gaskets.
"Back In The Day" everything was pretty much cork. You "glued" the gasket to the VC, then glued them to the head.
Eventually the VC had to be removed because the cork dried out or valve-lash adjustment was in order.
What an awful job. Putty knife, chemicals, scrape-scrape, wire brush.
Along comes rubber / silicone gaskets. No more scrapping cork off the cyl head.
Easy removal of gasket. But rubber didn't seal like cork.
Along comes rubber / cork composite. The best of both materials.
Mr. Gasket has fell wayside to the newer FelPro gaskets.
Bolt holes now have metal inserts to prevent crushing.
Some gaskets can be used over & over again. That's a plus if setting valve-lash is frequent.
Some are $9.95. Others are $49.95.
I prefer to select in the middle range.
Preparation of the VC flange is everything for leak-free seal. Wire brush & Acetone.
Some of us glue the gasket to the VC side only. Let it set overnight.
I won't give you a part number but will give you some history on V.C. gaskets.
"Back In The Day" everything was pretty much cork. You "glued" the gasket to the VC, then glued them to the head.
Eventually the VC had to be removed because the cork dried out or valve-lash adjustment was in order.
What an awful job. Putty knife, chemicals, scrape-scrape, wire brush.
Along comes rubber / silicone gaskets. No more scrapping cork off the cyl head.
Easy removal of gasket. But rubber didn't seal like cork.
Along comes rubber / cork composite. The best of both materials.
Mr. Gasket has fell wayside to the newer FelPro gaskets.
Bolt holes now have metal inserts to prevent crushing.
Some gaskets can be used over & over again. That's a plus if setting valve-lash is frequent.
Some are $9.95. Others are $49.95.
I prefer to select in the middle range.
Preparation of the VC flange is everything for leak-free seal. Wire brush & Acetone.
Some of us glue the gasket to the VC side only. Let it set overnight.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,747
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have the Felpro valve cover gaskets with the inserts that prevent crushing on a 1968 427 engine. I have been able to open the valve covers and replace them without needing a new gasket to stop oil from leaking several times. This ability to re-seal after being re-installed is not something that the Cork gaskets were able to do. The newer materials seal very well and are more user friendly.
When buying gaskets I tend to buy the more expensive parts because I feel they do a slightly better job than the cheap gaskets set out there. I also buy them ahead of time so I have a set of new gaskets waiting in the garage. Going to Rockauto I can get them ahead of time and a fair price.
When installing a new set of valve cover gaskets it is imperative to have a clean mating surface. I avoid using metal scrapers as I don't want to mark up the surface so I use a Plastic Scraper instead which keeps me from damaging the aluminum heads. I keep some alcohol prep pads handy and use them for final cleaning of the mating surfaces before putting the valve covers back on.
There are many companies trying to sell gasket kits and if I do not recognize the name then I do not buy them. For my Corvettes FelPro seems to be the way to go.
When buying gaskets I tend to buy the more expensive parts because I feel they do a slightly better job than the cheap gaskets set out there. I also buy them ahead of time so I have a set of new gaskets waiting in the garage. Going to Rockauto I can get them ahead of time and a fair price.
When installing a new set of valve cover gaskets it is imperative to have a clean mating surface. I avoid using metal scrapers as I don't want to mark up the surface so I use a Plastic Scraper instead which keeps me from damaging the aluminum heads. I keep some alcohol prep pads handy and use them for final cleaning of the mating surfaces before putting the valve covers back on.
There are many companies trying to sell gasket kits and if I do not recognize the name then I do not buy them. For my Corvettes FelPro seems to be the way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 582
I have the Felpro valve cover gaskets with the inserts that prevent crushing on a 1968 427 engine. I have been able to open the valve covers and replace them without needing a new gasket to stop oil from leaking several times. This ability to re-seal after being re-installed is not something that the Cork gaskets were able to do. The newer materials seal very well and are more user friendly.
When buying gaskets I tend to buy the more expensive parts because I feel they do a slightly better job than the cheap gaskets set out there. I also buy them ahead of time so I have a set of new gaskets waiting in the garage. Going to Rockauto I can get them ahead of time and a fair price.
When installing a new set of valve cover gaskets it is imperative to have a clean mating surface. I avoid using metal scrapers as I don't want to mark up the surface so I use a Plastic Scraper instead which keeps me from damaging the aluminum heads. I keep some alcohol prep pads handy and use them for final cleaning of the mating surfaces before putting the valve covers back on.
There are many companies trying to sell gasket kits and if I do not recognize the name then I do not buy them. For my Corvettes FelPro seems to be the way to go.
When buying gaskets I tend to buy the more expensive parts because I feel they do a slightly better job than the cheap gaskets set out there. I also buy them ahead of time so I have a set of new gaskets waiting in the garage. Going to Rockauto I can get them ahead of time and a fair price.
When installing a new set of valve cover gaskets it is imperative to have a clean mating surface. I avoid using metal scrapers as I don't want to mark up the surface so I use a Plastic Scraper instead which keeps me from damaging the aluminum heads. I keep some alcohol prep pads handy and use them for final cleaning of the mating surfaces before putting the valve covers back on.
There are many companies trying to sell gasket kits and if I do not recognize the name then I do not buy them. For my Corvettes FelPro seems to be the way to go.
I've also found the family group brands Clevite & Mahle & Victor-Reinz are equally satisfying. Regardless of brand, knowing Which material to select is paramount.
*One of the best things to come down the pike is advent of heads' machined-milled valve cover surfaces.
