Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Are the steel OEM valve covers as prone to leaks as usually mentioned or is it a myth from mostly wrong installation.

Are they really that touchy if they are straight, and installed using a modern gasket and spreaders and not over torqued . Is it better to use the gaskets with the metal inserts better or is a thinner old school gasket better so they would be more flat when tightened down.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

If the flanges are straight, they do not leak. Most guys will overtighten them and distort the flange, then they don't seal. They only need to be snugged good, I think the factory torque rating is something like 6 or 8 ft lbs. I like the Fel-Pro Permadry Plus gaskets with the torque limiters built in (metal inserts). They can be reused many times, ideal for engines with solid lifters.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

So would I be better off buying a new set of reproduction ones as they would be more likely to be straight and not messed up near the bolt holes. I am seeing all kinds of used OEM ones for sale on fleabay but would they be warped or abused?

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Reproduction? Blasphemy!

Flatten them with a straight 2x4 or something. The heads do not lie, if they sit without any rocking you should be good

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Chrome valve covers are more prone to leaks.

But, overall, do yourself a favor, glue the gaskets to the valve covers with weather strip adhesive or RTV, let them cure over night before installing them to the engine.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

I went to an aftermarket LT-1 type stock height aluminum valve covers. I used silicone and a nice thick cork gasket, clamped them down overnite before installing them.
So far 1 year leak free.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

I sort of want orange ones to look like original but my aluminum ones now do not leak so I might just let that sleeping dog be

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

The proper valve cover retainers help a lot with stock valve covers.

Cleanup when you replace the gaskets is a mess but years ago a friend taught me that using CAT (as in Caterpillar equipment) contact cement Between the gasket and the valve cover and silicone gasket sealer between the gasket and the head seal things up pretty well.

I've got a pair of cheapie chrome valve covers out in the shed that I'll give to someone's kid to make valve cover racers out of as that is all they are good for. on my 350 I finally bought a pair of fabricated aluminum valve covers off Ebay that are what don't leak.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

If you don’t have to have the original look, keep the aluminum covers, those usually don’t leak.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Myth

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

I've used PML valve covers for years. Zero leaks. The flanges are really thick and stiff. I use steel core rubber gaskets from Summit and put a thin coat of RTV on both sides. I've had leaks with stock steel, Edelbrock chrome, and M/T aluminum covers.

PML will also power coat.
https://yourcovers.com/storefront.html

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Let’s see em ivory68!

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Tin valve covers used to leak like crazy. As has been mentioned, guys tightened the bolts too much. #1 complaint at Chevy dealers I worked at in the early '70s was oil leaks. It didn't help that a tune-up in those days called for re-torquing the head bolts. This required removing the valve covers. Over-torquing was always an issue.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

Haha, here you go. I bought the natural finish (unpainted). I used rattle can wrinkle finish (Krylon), and sanded down the fins and lettering. The wrinkle finish is very TOUGH. Never chipped, peeled, bubbled, or scratched. The flange is very thick- at least 1/4" thick. Not much room for nuts or bolt heads. Had to use socket head cap screws.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

^ I love those finned alloy valve covers! Wife doesn't want anything changed on her "daddy's" truck, in spite of all the cheapo crap from J.C. Whitney that he put on it. Go figure.

Re: Are steel valve covers prone to leaks or a myth?
 

:lol:Lol