Valve Cover Gaskets

COACH MIKE · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 12:58 PM

I have a Keith Kraft stroked 428. I have been having trouble getting the valve cover gaskets to seal. I tried one cork gasket with high temp RTV just on the valve cover side and this did not work. Next I tried the same set up with RTV on both the gasket and the head, still did not seal correctly. Tried the rubber gasket and this was the worst situation. All of these were recommendations off of the search I performed here at Club Cobra. A friend of mine has built a couple of 390's and he recommended two Fel Pro cork gaskets, RTV both sides of the gaskets as well as the head (special attention to the area where the intake meets the head). I also used Mr. Gasket spreader bars for the two bottom bolts on the valve cover. I have not had any oil leakage so far. Hope this will help
Coach Mike

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 01:18 PM

Where do you notice the leak?

alicarmar · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 03:14 PM

A solution that worked for me: I mentioned the problem to a mechanic at one of those fancy schmancy BMW/Porche tuner shops while he performing a wheel alignment on my ERA. He sold me a tube of Porche gasket maker for an absurd $35 and promised that my problem would go away..... He was right. It also worked wonders on my leaky oil cooler adaptor.

PatBuckley · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 03:36 PM

Use 3M 8001 Weatherstrip adhestive and glue the cork gasket to the valve cover. Make sure you follow their directions.

Check the area where the intake meets the head - if it isn't smooth or looks like there is a void there, seal it with some RTV.

Lightly oil the cork valve cover gasket and install making sure you don't tighten it down too hard.

You will be able to remove and install the valve cover many times before you need to replace the gasket.

dblbarrel · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 06:19 PM

Good advise, Pat the weather stripping adhesive kicks but.

PatBuckley · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 10:15 PM

Thanks.

This actually would work on most cars.

COACH MIKE · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I believe my leak was coming from the joint area of the head and intake. They are not flush. I RTV'd this area. The light oil on the head side of the cork gasket helps as well. Not to much tight on the bolts is also important.
Coach Mike



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