Fix pesky valve cover leaks

[custom442]

This one's pretty straightforward (old news but could help someone), you can get this from the parts store - this is the important part:

And apply just like any old gasket. The idea is to cement the cork gasket to the valve cover (no sealer on the gasket-to-head side).

Let set for a few hours or overnight, and then bolt your covers back on. No more drip!

 

[megaladon6]

IIRC the weatherstripping doesn't hold up to the heatcycling or the oil. i do the same thing, just with good quality black RTV. i've found the real trick to be using a VERY thin coat.

 

[custom442]

That's a good point megaladon, about the engine heat cycle. I'll post back if I have trouble with this stuff, but so far its golden. I actually switched from rtv to weatherstrip because the rtv never did the trick, I applied it 3 different times and no luck.

 

[megaladon6]

how thick of a bead are you using? i used to hate it 'till i got the hang of a very thin layer. thin enough that you could practically see through it.

 

[SLICK79WGN]

I always had the best luck with the rubber gaskets and spray them down with the copper stuff and never had a set leak since been doing it that way and it is allot easier to clean up for the next set but with the rubber ones you can reuse them a few times

 

[custom442]

how thick of a bead are you using? i used to hate it 'till i got the hang of a very thin layer. thin enough that you could practically see through it.

Ya, I always use a thin coat with rtv just like all the gaskets, It just didn't work for me, could've been the valve covers (they're the cheapest kind).

I like this weatherstrip stuff cuz it really cements itself to the cover nicely. I didn't have any leaks after runnin the engine for a while today, which is the first time that happened

 

[custom442]

I always had the best luck with the rubber gaskets and spray them down with the copper stuff and never had a set leak since been doing it that way and it is allot easier to clean up for the next set but with the rubber ones you can reuse them a few times

That's a good point, might try out the rubber gaskets later on. I like the cork ones cuz they're only a few bucks

 

[Chevyman85]

When it comes to gaskets, you get what you pay for. I opted for good rubber ones on my last build, and I've been very happy. I have not had a leak yet, and you can remove them with out having to worry about tearing your gasket apart.