Best Valve cover Gaskets - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dubie · 11-29-2004, 01:29 PM

What is the best gasket to buy? I have some cork ones that came with my gasket kit for the engine, but they leak . I have some aftermarket chrome valve covers on the engine, and these gaskets don't seal worth a sh!t. They seem to leak on the outside corners and it has made my nice chevy orange engine look like it has 100,000 + miles on it with the oil runs on it. What gaskets do you recommend?

Super Duck · 11-29-2004, 01:33 PM

Speed Way motors sells a rubber gasket with a steal core for I think $15. check them out they have some cool stuff

Mudder · 11-29-2004, 01:34 PM

Well I have red rubber ones from GM on mine and they have been reused a couple of times ans still dont leak. I do have the center bolt valve covers tho and I don't think they leak as bad as the old ones.

junkyardjohn · 11-29-2004, 01:40 PM

I ALWAYS USE THE FEL-PRO BLUE STRIPE RUBBER VALVE COVER GASKETS. I GLUE THEM TO THE VALVE COVERS WITH PERMATEX WEATHER STIP ADHESIVE (OR GORILLA SNOT). NO LEAKS & THEY ARE REUSABLE.

JOHN

longnlow72 · 11-30-2004, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

I ALWAYS USE THE FEL-PRO BLUE STRIPE RUBBER VALVE COVER GASKETS. I GLUE THEM TO THE VALVE COVERS WITH PERMATEX WEATHER STIP ADHESIVE (OR GORILLA SNOT). NO LEAKS & THEY ARE REUSABLE.

JOHN

x2

70c10 · 11-29-2004, 01:37 PM

Tim, I have the fel Pro reusable ones. They are not expensive.

djracer · 11-29-2004, 02:10 PM

you may want to check the valve covers if they have been over torqued and bent they may never seal. I use the cork gaskets with the metal inbetween two layers of cork!

Good Luck

mindhive · 11-29-2004, 02:11 PM

Fel Pro Permadry Plus

Valve Cover P/N VS12869T
Oil Pan P/N OS34510T
Water Neck P/N 35562C

Available from Summit Racing, Jegs, etc

lngbed71 · 11-29-2004, 02:37 PM

Permadry

arkracing · 11-29-2004, 03:57 PM

Are there any "extra thick" valve cover gaskets out there? who makes them? what are the made of? and where can I get them for a BigBlock?

4x4Poet · 11-29-2004, 10:54 PM

djracer's recommendation on checking the covers' straightness is a great first step. Given straight valve covers, any inexpensive cork or cork/metal/cork gasket should work well if you use an adhesive, say Edelbrock Gasgacinch, to seal the gasket to the valve cover first, then apply oil or anti-seize to the gasket surface that mates with the head surface. Torque bolts to spec. If the bolts won't retain their torque setting, consider Stage 8's valve cover bolts (8960 for 8 1/4-20 bolts) with "groove locks." The anti-seize will allow removal of the valve cover without scraping off gasket material from the head and the gasket will usually be reusable as still adhered to the cover.

If you still find you need a superior gasket, Summit carries several reusable gaskets that keep their shape and need no adhesive:
Earl' "Pressure Master Valve Cover Seals" for SBC and BBC. Metal sandwiched between shape-retaining rubber. Big bucks!

SCE "Accu-Seal Pro valve cover gaskets" for BBC that are 3/16" thick made from "a two-layer composite of super-strong cellulose and high-density cork. The end result gives you a gasket with superior sealing ability and 1,250 lb. tensile strength for reliability." Sounds like the strength of rubber combined with the good sealing properties fo cork. SCE's SBC gaskets are only 1/8" thick. Medium bucks!

Moroso "Perm-Align valve cover gaskets are manufactured from 30-durometer rubber, which is molded over and vulcanized to a rigid steel frame." Also 3/16" thick for both SBC & BBC. Medium (SBC) & big (BBC) bucks!

Check your local parts store or speed shop.

Hooter · 11-29-2004, 11:02 PM

I always had a problem with the chrome valve covers leaking on my small block, till I switched to aluminum valve covers, my Monte used to have the chrome ones, no matter what they would lea k, so now that I installed the aluminum ones with the blue silicone gaskets I have no more leaks, some of those chrome valve covers are garbage, what I would try is either buy some aluminum valve covers or get some of those wide spreader bars

4x4Poet · 11-30-2004, 12:25 AM

Good point on the usual chrome valve cover quality, Hooter.

It might be because chrome weakens steel, and the producers chrome no thicker steel than the stock steel covers. Also, IIRC, chrome valve covers pass heat with approx 80% less efficiency than painted steel, given the same type of cover (type steel & thickness). Of course, alum releases heat better than both.

11-29-2004, 01:29 PM	#1
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	Best Valve cover Gaskets What is the best gasket to buy? I have some cork ones that came with my gasket kit for the engine, but they leak . I have some aftermarket chrome valve covers on the engine, and these gaskets don't seal worth a sh!t. They seem to leak on the outside corners and it has made my nice chevy orange engine look like it has 100,000 + miles on it with the oil runs on it. What gaskets do you recommend? __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

11-29-2004, 01:33 PM	#2
Super Duck Chevy Nuttttt Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Santa Maria Ca. Posts: 568	Speed Way motors sells a rubber gasket with a steal core for I think $15. check them out they have some cool stuff __________________ 67' Chev swb step side 69' SS elky 03' Chev ext cab 4X4 hey who lernt me to spell is there anything else?

11-29-2004, 01:40 PM	#4
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	I ALWAYS USE THE FEL-PRO BLUE STRIPE RUBBER VALVE COVER GASKETS. I GLUE THEM TO THE VALVE COVERS WITH PERMATEX WEATHER STIP ADHESIVE (OR GORILLA SNOT). NO LEAKS & THEY ARE REUSABLE. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

11-29-2004, 01:37 PM	#6
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Tim, I have the fel Pro reusable ones. They are not expensive. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

11-29-2004, 02:10 PM	#7
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	you may want to check the valve covers if they have been over torqued and bent they may never seal. I use the cork gaskets with the metal inbetween two layers of cork! Good Luck __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

11-29-2004, 01:34 PM	#3
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Well I have red rubber ones from GM on mine and they have been reused a couple of times ans still dont leak. I do have the center bolt valve covers tho and I don't think they leak as bad as the old ones.

11-29-2004, 02:11 PM	#8
mindhive Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mountain Home ID Posts: 85	Fel Pro Permadry Plus Valve Cover P/N VS12869T Oil Pan P/N OS34510T Water Neck P/N 35562C Available from Summit Racing, Jegs, etc

11-29-2004, 02:37 PM	#9
lngbed71 Nothing fits but the oil Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gaston, Indiana Posts: 424	Permadry __________________ Land of the free Because of the brave

11-29-2004, 03:57 PM	#10
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Are there any "extra thick" valve cover gaskets out there? who makes them? what are the made of? and where can I get them for a BigBlock? __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered

11-29-2004, 10:54 PM	#11
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	djracer's recommendation on checking the covers' straightness is a great first step. Given straight valve covers, any inexpensive cork or cork/metal/cork gasket should work well if you use an adhesive, say Edelbrock Gasgacinch, to seal the gasket to the valve cover first, then apply oil or anti-seize to the gasket surface that mates with the head surface. Torque bolts to spec. If the bolts won't retain their torque setting, consider Stage 8's valve cover bolts (8960 for 8 1/4-20 bolts) with "groove locks." The anti-seize will allow removal of the valve cover without scraping off gasket material from the head and the gasket will usually be reusable as still adhered to the cover. If you still find you need a superior gasket, Summit carries several reusable gaskets that keep their shape and need no adhesive: Earl' "Pressure Master Valve Cover Seals" for SBC and BBC. Metal sandwiched between shape-retaining rubber. Big bucks! SCE "Accu-Seal Pro valve cover gaskets" for BBC that are 3/16" thick made from "a two-layer composite of super-strong cellulose and high-density cork. The end result gives you a gasket with superior sealing ability and 1,250 lb. tensile strength for reliability." Sounds like the strength of rubber combined with the good sealing properties fo cork. SCE's SBC gaskets are only 1/8" thick. Medium bucks! Moroso "Perm-Align valve cover gaskets are manufactured from 30-durometer rubber, which is molded over and vulcanized to a rigid steel frame." Also 3/16" thick for both SBC & BBC. Medium (SBC) & big (BBC) bucks! Check your local parts store or speed shop. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

11-29-2004, 11:02 PM	#12
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	I always had a problem with the chrome valve covers leaking on my small block, till I switched to aluminum valve covers, my Monte used to have the chrome ones, no matter what they would lea k, so now that I installed the aluminum ones with the blue silicone gaskets I have no more leaks, some of those chrome valve covers are garbage, what I would try is either buy some aluminum valve covers or get some of those wide spreader bars __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

11-30-2004, 12:25 AM	#13
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Good point on the usual chrome valve cover quality, Hooter. It might be because chrome weakens steel, and the producers chrome no thicker steel than the stock steel covers. Also, IIRC, chrome valve covers pass heat with approx 80% less efficiency than painted steel, given the same type of cover (type steel & thickness). Of course, alum releases heat better than both. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

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