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Hey Guys
I want to replace the gaskets on my 85. I've read many of the forum posts and I would just like to get advice on what is the best gasket to use. It seems to be a time consuming job, which is no problem, but with that, I dont want any leaks. I have seen good reviews on Mr Gasket Ultra Seal gaskets. I've gotten a lot of great advice from this forum and wanted to reach out again on this one. Any advice on removal and reinstallation would also be greatly appreciated. I know there have been many articles on this but they do vary.
Thank you again for the help!!
FWIW - I just replaced VC gaskets on my 85. for years, I used RTV silicone, but decided this time to go with actual gaskets. I chose fel-pro 1628. these things are a bit PRICEY. blue silicone rubber, and from what I understand, some of the best small block chevy VC gaskets available. they are .250 thick, which forced me to get slightly longer VC studs. for the studs, I went with Moroso 97020, which happen to be .25 longer that stock OE. everything went together without issue. hope this helps.
Passenger side, you have to move a lot of stuff out of the way.
Driver side, I did not have to remove the window wiper motor cover but did have to back out a bolt I believe is on the A.I.R. bracket. You'll see it next to the valve cover. You have to do a little tilting of the valve cover to clear the back rocker under the valve cover nearest the firewall. I have a 88. It's a learning experience so use a quality gasket. I've done this job twice in 17 years. First time to fix a leak, second time when I pulled the heads off.
Passenger side, you have to move a lot of stuff out of the way.
Driver side, I did not have to remove the window wiper motor cover but did have to back out a bolt I believe is on the A.I.R. bracket. You'll see it next to the valve cover. You have to do a little tilting of the valve cover to clear the back rocker under the valve cover nearest the firewall. I have a 88. It's a learning experience so use a quality gasket. I've done this job twice in 17 years. First time to fix a leak, second time when I pulled the heads off.
85's and 88's are apples and oranges on what has to be moved and removed -
FWIW - I just replaced VC gaskets on my 85. for years, I used RTV silicone, but decided this time to go with actual gaskets. I chose fel-pro 1628. these things are a bit PRICEY. blue silicone rubber, and from what I understand, some of the best small block chevy VC gaskets available. they are .250 thick, which forced me to get slightly longer VC studs. for the studs, I went with Moroso 97020, which happen to be .25 longer that stock OE. everything went together without issue. hope this helps.
Joe
I did get the Felpro 1628 gaskets. Did you use any kind of adhesive or sealer along with them
Thank you
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
did the expensive blue gaskets dry and could not get a seal. Took them out and just sittiing now.
I then did just RTV and still leaking.
Next time I'll just get cork and seal them up. They will not leak for a few years
Driver side, I did not have to remove the window wiper motor cover but did have to back out a bolt I believe is on the A.I.R. bracket. You'll see it next to the valve cover.
If you cut the end off the bolt you won't have to remove it in the future:
OP, it seems you have your work cut out for you on your 85 by that last pic. from Joe C.
HAD2, it is a bit more work, but not hard work. just boils down to "nuts and bolts." see, don't I make that sound easy - . i'm really surprised they didn't design the car so you would have to pull the heater core to replace the RH cover -
i'm able to take off my 85 valve cover just loosing that bolt flush ,it's a little tricky but it comes off,i never removed the air pump bracket/assy...
Last edited by tunedport85inject; Jan 31, 2016 at 06:37 AM.
i'm able to take off my 85 valve cover just loosing that bolt flush ,it's a little tricky but it comes off,i never removed the air pump bracket/assy...
technically, you may be correct! not saying you can't do it, in fact, the FSM says nothing about removing the pump and bracket, but it looks to be a major PITA. FWIW, i've done this several times, and personally, always removed the pump and bracket. it's a lot easier to lift the cover straight up vs jockeying the VC around to clear rocker arms and the VC's internal PCV baffles. EDIT: IN MY DEFENSE, I TEND TO DO THINGS THE HARD WAY - - anyway,
Hi Joe,i just replaced my gasket one hour ago,i have done my passenger side a couple days ago ,and i did the driver side in the meanwhile from my last post...straight forward, i just put gloves on my hand, i'm quite confident with the top end of engine...but i've never gone deeper than the injectors rails and RR...
Last edited by tunedport85inject; Jan 31, 2016 at 10:27 AM.
Hi Joe,i just replaced my gasket one hour ago,i have done my passenger side a couple days ago ,and i did the driver side in the meanwhile from my last post...straight forward, i just put gloves on my hand, i'm quite confident with the top end of engine...but i've never gone deeper than the injectors rails and RR...
hey Alberto - - well, it looks like you can do it without removing the smog pump and bracket. I would have thought it would never clear the VC flange. guess I was wrong!
I see from your profile, you have a 2-tone silver/gray 85. -
here's mine -
been wrenchin' on it, on and off for 20 years and 120K miles...
I only use the rubber type gasket with steel inserts, they hold the shape and keeps the gasket from being squishing out when being torqued down causing oil leaks.
I have found the design of the iron head and valve cover mating surface has a bit of a miss match, when you first fit them they may be ok for a while then they start to leak. If you tighten them more you will find the cork gasket starting to be chopped in pieces.
The rubber type gaskets with steel inserts are more durable, they can be torqued tighter without damage.
I have never had any leaks since going to the re enforced rubber valve cover gaskets in my 85, you can reuse them a couple of times.
Another problem area on the C4 is the china wall issue on the intake manifold to heads and block, they use gaskets on the heads but silicone on the china walls.
Extra care must be used to clean the surfaces and applying just the right amount of silicone, I hate silicone because the stuff can block the oil pickup screen if it gets loose and into the sump.
Hi Joe,actually my 85 is silver,ha ha... probably my fault when i did my profile.btw a nice 85,it need an engine rebuild since she started smoking blue terribly...she still pull but not that way i was used to...i have this baby since 2004
Last edited by tunedport85inject; Jan 31, 2016 at 05:44 PM.
Hi Joe,actually my 85 is silver,ha ha... probably my fault when i did my profile.btw a nice 85,it need an engine rebuild since she started smoking blue terribly...she still pull but not that way i was used to...i have this baby since 2004
Valve cover gasket replacement
on the 86-91 L98's - however, the OP has an 85 - different configuration 
. i'm really surprised they didn't design the car so you would have to pull the heater core to replace the RH cover - 
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