LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Valve cover gaskets

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-08-2010, 08:46 PM
  #1  
10 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (40)
 
BOLO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Mundelein,Illinois
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default Valve cover gaskets

Which v/c gaskets do you guys use on your center bolt heads? It seems to be a pita re-installing the typical reusable rubber gasket when valve lash have to check every now and then. Is there a different kind of gasket out there that is easier to re-install and yet seal just as good?
Old 11-08-2010, 08:49 PM
  #2  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
RamAir95TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 9,467
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

I solved this problem by RTVing one side of the gasket to the valve cover itself. Put a THIN bead around the trough of the valve cover and set the gasket in. It should be thin enough so it doesn't squish out and look like crap. Once it's set in, installing the VCs is MUCH easier.
Old 11-08-2010, 08:58 PM
  #3  
10 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (40)
 
BOLO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Mundelein,Illinois
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by RamAir95TA
I solved this problem by RTVing one side of the gasket to the valve cover itself. Put a THIN bead around the trough of the valve cover and set the gasket in. It should be thin enough so it doesn't squish out and look like crap. Once it's set in, installing the VCs is MUCH easier.
Thanks man, but I have done this, and have to do them each and every time I take the valve covers off. There's got to be a better solution to this.
Old 11-08-2010, 10:17 PM
  #4  
TECH Fanatic
 
lt1-xjs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: centerville, ohio
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts

Default

I've used the same rubber gaskets for like 9 years, but only removed them 4 x. New valve covers, 1.52's, 1.6's and 1.7's, so far. I would think cleaning them and using the good rtv on one side would work well.
Old 11-09-2010, 12:09 AM
  #5  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
SexyTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: E-town, KY
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

i use the permadry felpro
Old 11-09-2010, 06:26 AM
  #6  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
n2oblkz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Versailles, IN
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I use the cork type, I think Fel Pro brand. They are stuck to the valve cover with an adhesive and I have had them off many times and they always seal good.
Old 11-09-2010, 07:34 AM
  #7  
10 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (40)
 
BOLO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Mundelein,Illinois
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by n2oblkz
I use the cork type, I think Fel Pro brand. They are stuck to the valve cover with an adhesive and I have had them off many times and they always seal good.
Where can I find these gaskets? Any part #'s? cork type, huh.
Old 11-09-2010, 08:00 AM
  #8  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (28)
 
whytryz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

The blue gaskets work fine and stay in the valve cover when I take them off.
Old 11-09-2010, 08:48 AM
  #9  
ADM
TECH Resident
 
ADM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My valve covers have orange seals (they were on the motor when I got the car), they fit snugly in the grooves and have never leaked, opened them numerous times for valve lash and checking head torque after heat cycles after the heads were off.

I've noticed the seals themselves have a groove too to sit on the walls of the heads for sealing.
Old 11-09-2010, 09:53 AM
  #10  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (12)
 
1badzee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFL
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I use cork too.. Only problem is they started leaking when I was using the sauce. Too much crankcase pressure I suppose. Otherwise, I have had the best luck with cork gaskets. Always stick to the valve cover (with the help of an adhesive) and don't leak.
Old 11-09-2010, 09:56 AM
  #11  
Village Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
SS RRR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Jackstandican
Posts: 11,006
Received 517 Likes on 373 Posts

Default

I've had great success putting a dab of Ultra Black on all four corners of the valve cover and inserting the gasket.
Old 11-09-2010, 10:15 AM
  #12  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
boosted LT1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Montgomery AL
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by BOLO
Which v/c gaskets do you guys use on your center bolt heads? It seems to be a pita re-installing the typical reusable rubber gasket when valve lash have to check every now and then. Is there a different kind of gasket out there that is easier to re-install and yet seal just as good?

Thanks man, but I have done this, and have to do them each and every time I take the valve covers off. There's got to be a better solution to this.
How often are you setting your valve lash? Poly locks might help...

Since I am boosted I have to be careful of valve cover leaks and I use a composite cork they aren't cheap ~$50. The composite cork gaskets seal well but are a royal pain in the ***.
Old 11-09-2010, 01:11 PM
  #13  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (17)
 
AChotrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 9,896
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Hes got a solid roller motor.
Old 11-11-2010, 12:53 PM
  #14  
10 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (40)
 
BOLO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Mundelein,Illinois
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I guess I'll just keep doing the same routine....thin bead of Right Stuff each and every time.
Old 11-11-2010, 04:25 PM
  #15  
Village Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
SS RRR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Jackstandican
Posts: 11,006
Received 517 Likes on 373 Posts

Default

Forgot to add when I get new gaskets I always stretch them out before putting them on the valve covers. I stretch them until there is a little bit of slack.
Old 11-12-2010, 05:32 AM
  #16  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (23)
 
FASTFATBOY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mobile Ala
Posts: 4,860
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

RTV doesnt work so good, clean the covers with alcohol and use 3M weatherstrip adhesive to glue them to the cover. Use a light coat of white lithium grease to stop them from sticking to the head.
Old 11-12-2010, 07:42 AM
  #17  
10 Second Club
Thread Starter
iTrader: (40)
 
BOLO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Mundelein,Illinois
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY
RTV doesnt work so good, clean the covers with alcohol and use 3M weatherstrip adhesive to glue them to the cover. Use a light coat of white lithium grease to stop them from sticking to the head.
Thanks, that's another good suggestion. Will have to try this one next time I open the valve covers up.
Old 11-12-2010, 07:44 AM
  #18  
Village Troll
iTrader: (2)
 
SS RRR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Jackstandican
Posts: 11,006
Received 517 Likes on 373 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY
RTV doesnt work so good...
Why doesn't it work?



Quick Reply: Valve cover gaskets



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:05 PM.