Thread: Valve cover gaskets.....

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OK...... what's your favorite medium? Cork? Rubber? Inserts?

David

mine is cork

I've started using those blue reusable ones and like them, especially on a motor where you might be pulling the covers off at times. I also am using them on the oil pan.

Don

cork /rubber mix with a steel insert if thicker then 1/4 i can make all of it work.but it has alot to do with the make up of the cover stock steel. alum. race coming on and off abit ? then the rubber with inserts work good

Polished stamped steel. Not sure why, but I got rubber, think I am regretting it. Thinking of switching out as I am not comfy with how much I am having to tighten down to seal them. Thinking just straight cork.

I like cork. I take a few dabs of silicon and secure the gasket to the cover, leaving the other side just cork. Then when you tighten, the seal should be very good and no leaks. Just don't over tighten with cork or you will be sorry.

I lilke the nice thick FelPro's with the steel in the middle for aluminum VC's. They seal nicely, can (usually) be reused a couple times or more and I don't have to chase 'em around the head to get the fasteners through the holes. With the tin valve covers - not much ever worked real well as I find those twist and the fastener holes distort, but will usually use cork there. With those, I use ordinary contact cement on the VC's to hold the gasket in place then install. A bit of a PITA to remove, but a sharp chisel will do the job quick.

I'm with Dave on the cork with the steel insert on aluminum covers. I use good old fashioned Gasket Cinch on the valve cover and a very light coating of grease on the head side...Of course mine are on Ford heads that actually have a real surface for the valve cover to seat on, unlike some other brands.....

I prefer the steel insert gaskets because I have valve cover to W/W motor clearance issues. With roller rockers stock height covers won't clear the rollers, and tall covers won't clear the W/W motor, But two of the steel insert gaskets on each side makes everything HAPPY!!

AND, they're reusable

I use the thick cork Felpros w/ the steel core. I spray glue them to the covers & lithium grease on the gasket side towards head. I can re-use many times that way.