Valve cover gasket recomendations...

[Chas]

I ordered a set of cast aluminum valve covers for my Vette. they are Edelbrock to match the other stuff i have from them...I would like to know opinions on which gasket material i should get...cork laminant,cork and rubber ,neoprene , or some other space age material....I have had a leak problem for awhile now , after a hour or so at speed i seem to get a small trickel of oil that drips right onto my exhaust pipead ..
from a suggestion by GerryLP im also getting a new pvc valve and breather to match,
i have these kind of "flimsy" steel chrome covers now, they look nice , but they seem to just "bow" or "bend" when i try to torque them down...im affraid of making the leak worse by over tightening it.
So im getting a nice strong cast aluminum set, and dont want to have issues with leaks.
What is your choice of gasket material, or gasket company ,and maybe a brief statement on why.
Thanks for input ...
Chas

 

[Imachad]

About a month ago i replaced mine with Mr. Gasket Company - Ultra Seal from Ecklers. Its a cork gasket w/ anti stick compound for easy removal. They have worked great for me so far! no complaints!

Chad

 

[Robin7TFour]

Chas, i have a set of cast aluminum Edelbrock vavle covers laying around. if you're interesed.

robin

 

[brusso]

I've usually used what ever the parts guy delivers. Most of the time it has been cork. Wether I've used cork or "rubber", it's all in the installation. Such as, makng sure that the valve cover surface is true and that all of the old gasket material is removed from cover and head. I use a razor scraper to remove the old gasket and clean surfaces with some kind of solvent, usually brake cleaner of some kind. Then apply weather strip adheasive (yellow goop) to the valve cover. Place gasket to cover, using bolts to hold gasket in place. After letting set for a half hour, apply blue silicone to the bottom of gasket. This gives a good seal and aids in the removal, in the future. This keeps the gasket to the cover and not stuck to the head. Finally, torquing to about 20" lbs or so, using a pattern to avoid distorting the cover. I don't recall ever having one "come back" for a reinstall.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

After getting a lot of input from here, I bought the Moroso Perm-Align Valve Cover Gaskets and have been very happy with them. The steel prevents them from getting distorted. A little Permatex on the cover side and they come off easy as pie.

I strugged with what to use to hold the aluminum valve covers down. Nothing really gave the look that I wanted. A mechanic at the local Corvette shop here suggested aluminum phillips head machine screws. I tried them and they look great.

 

[Evolution1980]

On my L48 the bolts were on the bottom lip of the covers. On my ZZ4 they are through the top-middle. If yours are on the bottom lip, besides the gasket, I hav (have) some nice braces that fit over the valve covers. They are chrome and look nice. If you want, I'd be happy to take a picture of them and send it to you. I never had a problem after that with my ol' L48 leaking oil.
(Either PM me or email direct, as I'm not getting thread reply notifications in my email for some reason.)

 

[Chas]

i wonder if summit will update my order?

i like the gaskets and i dont know if they would let me add to an order they havent shipped yet.
Im gonna find out...i have polished stainless "bowtie" bolts all over my engine, so i hope they will match, if not i like the look of yours.
Thanks for all the input guys.
Chas

After getting a lot of input from here, I bought the Moroso Perm-Align Valve Cover Gaskets and have been very happy with them. The steel prevents them from getting distorted. A little Permatex on the cover side and they come off easy as pie.

I strugged with what to use to hold the aluminum valve covers down. Nothing really gave the look that I wanted. A mechanic at the local Corvette shop here suggested aluminum phillips head machine screws. I tried them and they look great.

 

[Chas]

Please do...

my bolts are on the bottom lip....thats where the issue is.thanks bud.
Chas

On my L48 the bolts were on the bottom lip of the covers. On my ZZ4 they are through the top-middle. If yours are on the bottom lip, besides the gasket, I hav (have) some nice braces that fit over the valve covers. They are chrome and look nice. If you want, I'd be happy to take a picture of them and send it to you. I never had a problem after that with my ol' L48 leaking oil.
(Either PM me or email direct, as I'm not getting thread reply notifications in my email for some reason.)

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

The new covers should make a big difference. The old style stamped sheet metal things just don't hold their shape. The only gaskets I use are the Fel-Pro neoprene. They have always worked very well. Every time I've run into cork gaskets they are leaking. That is just my experience.


Robin, What kind of covers are they. I'm think about a new set. Send me a picture and a price. Maybe we can work something out.


Gary

 

[Robin7TFour]

Gary, it would take me too long for a picture. i am not in the digital age yet. they are the standard edelbrock covers w/ edelbrock script in the center. there is a twist-on breather in each cover..