Valve cover leak- look at this casting 🙄

[saki302]

Did what I hope is the final fix to my valve cover leak.

The casting on the Ford 427 covers is terrible (351w). Voids all over the place.

I used black oil resistant RTV to glue the moroso gasket onto the cover, hopefully this kills my 'mystery' leak once and for all.

Check out the pics:
https://imgur.com/a/LX3U3FN

The previous owner swapped on these covers. Pretty, but a pain.

[IMLost]

I had the same problem with the Moroso. Installed clean and dry and it leaked. Pulled it to make sure it was ok looked and leaked. Pulled it did the same with the black. Leaked. Put in a Fel Pro. Holes are better and line up with no slop. NO LEAK

[saki302]

Thanks, I'll try fel pro next if this leaks again.

Which gasket did you use, cork or something else?

[IMLost]

Fel-Pro 1684
Silicone molded with steel core. The biggest notable difference was the bolt holes are more rounded or specific not oblong. Hope you don't have to do it again. For a simple thing it's a bit of a pain to have to go through for something that is so simple.

[Tom Wells]

saki,

Just on the off chance you use bolts to clamp down the covers, studs are highly recommended.

There have been times when I used bolts that were 1/16" (or less) too long resulting in insufficient clamping force even though they appeared properly torqued; the excess length bottomed them out.

Tom

[IMLost]

15 lbs torque bottom row first
Mr. Wells

[Tom Wells]

IM,

Studs not bolts, I presume?

Tom (Mr. Wells's son)

[IMLost]

Thank you Mr. Wells, by some standard yes I am. But in DSCC terms I’m just a vp.

[saki302]

Thanks guys,

I'm using bolts now, but they're just the right length, I had to shorten a couple.

I may switch to studs next go around. From the mark on the old gasket it looks like they're smushing it pretty well.