valve cover gasket help

1778 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Calinova69, Aug 24, 2012

Calinova69

Discussion Starter · Aug 23, 2012

So i bought brand new valver covers (GM's black stock valve covers), ARP bolts and spreaders, and Summits rubber valve cover gaskets and torqued them down around 6-8 lbs. the gaskets refuse to seal, ive already taken off the valve covers to see if i might have warped them or something and they look fine. Ive even caked red silicon around the covers whiched stopped it for awhile but driving it just melted the silicon and its back to leaking again.

I bought these covers and gaskets because both are apparently have been designed specifically to seal very well... :doh:

Can you guys recommend a set of gaskets that you know seal the best on a 350 sbc?

Thnx

Chris

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iroc343

· #2 · Aug 23, 2012

I had a similar situation and what I discovered was that the oil was climbiing the theads on the bottom bolts and running out between the spreaders and the valve cover. I fixed it by putting RTV around the bottom of the threads before installing the valve cover.

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Calinova69

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 23, 2012

And that is exactly where the leaks are, right at the bottom bolts!

So just put some rtv on the threads of the bottom bolts and reinstall?

Chris

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33hitman33

· #4 · Aug 23, 2012

I like the Fel-Pro cork & rubber. Never used a torque wrench, just 2 fingers on a 1/4" drive ratchet just snug. Then drive it, let it set and snug each time you drive it until they won't snug any more with 2 fingers and you're good to go.

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seventynovaSS

· #5 · Aug 24, 2012

Did you check to make sure the covers aren't warped and not setting flat against the heads? Something isn't right there.

I never use bolts to attach valve covers, I always use 1/4" X 1 1/4" studs made from threaded rod stock, and 1/4" rod couplers for nuts. That eliminates any possibility of the gaskets being out of place.

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TuBaDuB

· #6 · Aug 24, 2012 (Edited)

I use the thick cork/rubber gaskets, gasgacinch the gasket on the valve cover, and grease on the other side.:yes:
The rubber gaskets I had leaked right away and I threw them out.

My neighbor told me to do this and I wouldn't believe it until I tried it. And he was right.
Gaskets seal and the valve covers don't stick when I need to pop them off and no need to reposition them since there glued to the valve cover.

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ronnie smith jr

· #7 · Aug 24, 2012

I like the blue neoprene(?) metal sandwiched v/c gaskets. I used them exclusively on the superstocker without any leakage. Sorry, don't have a part number for them. I will use them again when the Chevy II is ready for the street.

Good luck:yes:

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sbc1320

· #8 · Aug 24, 2012

ronnie smith jr said:
I like the blue neoprene(?) metal sandwiched v/c gaskets. I used them exclusively on the superstocker without any leakage. Sorry, don't have a part number for them. I will use them again when the Chevy II is ready for the street.

Good luck:yes:

I have blue neoprenes on my 72, hasn't leaked a drop nor burn any oil. :yes:

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Calinova69

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 24, 2012

Thank you for all the great advice guys! I took the bolts off and just as iroc343 said, oil was creeping up the thread and leaking from there. I have applied RTV on the threads and will see if that stops it.

SeventynovaSS, the valve covers are brand new so i hope they are not warped.

If the RTV doesnt stop it ill try the cork/rubber gasket and studs you guys have been recommending.

Again, thanks for the awesome advice guys, i love this site!

Chris

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