valve cover leak.

[firemtbiker13]

I have another new newbie question for you all. i had to remove the valve cover to fix a lifter and put on a new gasket. felpro cork(the only one i can find locally). the valve cover is not stock either(its one of those fancy aftermarket metal ones) . the PO had a gasket plus silicon everywhere on it (a damn mess). well after tightening several times it leaks like crazy. didn't use any silicon or anything. any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. i searched the threads and saw mixed ways of making it work. someone just please tell me what to buy tomorrow and fix this thing. I'm almost seeing the light considering its been broke down since i bought it lol. thanks in advance.

 

[Torxhead]

Using a Felpro gasket is a good way to go. I would suggest for a second try to do a good cleaning job on all contact surfaces and apply a quality sealant before a moderate tightening down.

 

[firemtbiker13]

Ok cool. yes i definitely will use some sealant this time. thank you!

 

[gert]

also check the underside of the valve cover and straighten out any dents around the bolt holes from over tightening the valve cover bolts if its a steel valve cover, disregard if its a cast aluminum cover, just clean it real good apply sealant let it tack up pretty good to the valve cover gasket and try again

 

[hole]

The blue silicon gasket by Felpro is the best Ive ever used

 

[mriplaybass]

If this is one of those stamped metal covers, make sure that you are using the kind of "washers" that spread the load out over a greater surface area of the cover. If you don't, it is very easy to distort the cover. If you have the thicker aluminum cover, I don't think you need these.

 

[WHATROAD]

Have to agree totally with Mr. Bass. Attempting to stop the leak by over tightening causes a distortion in the cover. That in turn will increase leaks. found that out the hard way.

 

[007]

Bass is right but I know they didn't have those OE. As long as your hopes aren't tapered from over tightening you should be fine.

I'm about to install mine tonight and I have FelPro gaskets and I'm using brush on Permatex 300 on both heads and covers with gasket in middle. This is not oozy rtv. More of a tacky substance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[007]

Bass is right but I know they didn't have those OE. As long as your holes aren't tapered from over tightening you should be fine.

I'm about to install mine tonight and I have FelPro gaskets and I'm using brush on Permatex 300 on both heads and covers with gasket in middle. This is not oozy rtv. More of a tacky substance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mtnwhlr]

What I have found to work best is to glue the gasket to the valve cover and let it set up. Then run a small bead on the gasket and bolt it to the head and just snug it down and let it dry and you should be golden.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Here is what has work the best for me over the years.
https://www.permatex.com/products/g...x-aviation-form-a-gasket-no-3-sealant-liquid/

I get mine from NAPA.
LG

 

[Captainlance]

I've been restoring antique autos for many years. my "trick" for valve covers is to put contact cement on both the CORK gasket and the valve cover, press together when set, then screw onto the engine. Never had a leak this way. Use QUALITY gaskets, Felpro or similar, you won 't be sorry.

 

[firemtbiker13]

Thanks you everyone for the replies! you all helped. First problem was that it was not the OEM head so i had the wrong gasket. 2nd, the valve cover was cracked. I JB welded the valve cover crack, got the correct Fel-Pro gasket, put a small bead of permatex on both sides of gasket, while i was at the parts store i also found some spreader bars for a 350 valve cover and put them on the right side bank. NO LEAK!

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Don't expect the JB 'bandage' to hold for long.
IF-it's made from alum. A good welder could patch it.
LG