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Old 09-10-2009, 06:12 PM   #1
74 C-30
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valve covers leaking

hey guys so today I started my truck for the first time since i replaced the leaky valve cover gaskets, and it started leaking again. I'm going to pull the valve cover off again and re-clean all the surfaces and probably try a bit a gasket-in-a-tube. theyre the stock stamped valve covers. my question is does anybody have any helpful hints on how to keep the covers from leaking? thanks!
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Old 09-10-2009, 06:23 PM   #2
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Re: valve covers leaking

well for me Ive only used rubber gaskets and used the gasket sealer on the gasket and valve cover mating surface. I don't have a torque wrench, so I have always taken the bolts hand tight and then go one to two full turns on the bolts with wrench. and mainly make sure the out side bolts are tighter then the others because that seems to leak more then the other side. I am sure what I do is not by the book right, but it does work for me.
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Old 09-10-2009, 06:27 PM   #3
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Re: valve covers leaking

You need to bolt them on, run the engine, then tighten them again. The gaskets get softer when the engine is hot, so you have to go back and take the slack out thats there. Just use a 1/4 drive ratchet and hold it by the head and just give it a firm turn until it tightens al the way, and tighten from the middle bolt outward criss-crossing. Then repeat the pattern until they're tight

I had to do this a couple of times on the 318 in my cop car.
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Old 09-10-2009, 06:42 PM   #4
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Re: valve covers leaking

what middle bolt? isnt there only 4 bolts on a SBC? they are at the corners, right? I know the vortec motors had the ones on top...
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Old 09-10-2009, 07:51 PM   #5
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Re: valve covers leaking

just do a x
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Old 09-10-2009, 08:09 PM   #6
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Re: valve covers leaking

do u have this?
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Old 09-10-2009, 09:21 PM   #7
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Re: valve covers leaking

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Originally Posted by 79gmcc15 View Post
what middle bolt? isnt there only 4 bolts on a SBC? they are at the corners, right? I know the vortec motors had the ones on top...
Yeah thats right, haven't looked at one in awhile, maybe thats why they leak.....

Chrysler uses 5 bolts, bottom middle, 2 diagonal across at the top, then 2 at bottom corners, and they don leak.

Just cross them then, but you have to retighten them a few times to seat right.
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Old 09-10-2009, 09:46 PM   #8
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Re: valve covers leaking

you should take your valve cover off and look at the bolt holes. If the valve covers were over tightened the sealing surface of the valve cover may not be flat. Check the area around the hole. If it isnt flat tap it down with a small hammer to get the surface area flat. When you put it back together do not over tighten them.
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Old 09-10-2009, 10:02 PM   #9
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Re: valve covers leaking

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Originally Posted by 1984 swb chevy View Post
you should take your valve cover off and look at the bolt holes. If the valve covers were over tightened the sealing surface of the valve cover may not be flat. Check the area around the hole. If it isnt flat tap it down with a small hammer to get the surface area flat. When you put it back together do not over tighten them.
What he said is most likely the problem. Hold the edge of the cover upside down on a flat edge and carefully tap until the surface is flat. Or, I use a piece of 2x4 wood the length of the cover flange, then one good whack will get it nice and flat.
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Old 09-10-2009, 09:08 PM   #10
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Re: valve covers leaking

yes i have the little load spreaders. after i ran it once i tightened down all the bolts again, and ran it again and she still leaked, but it took awhile to start leaking, i'll recheck the bolts and tighten them like 79gmcc15 said, then if all else fail, i'll take the valve cover off. btw its a cork gasket
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Old 09-10-2009, 09:47 PM   #11
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Re: valve covers leaking

I agree with 1984 swb chevy. Check the bolt holes. I scuff the valve cover, where the gasket sits, with a Scotchbrite pad and apllied "gorilla snot" (trim adhesive) between the gasket and the cover. It will help hold the gasket in place. That method always worked on stock or chrome valve covers for me.
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Old 09-10-2009, 09:53 PM   #12
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Re: valve covers leaking

as posted above, stock stamped with cork gaskets
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Old 09-11-2009, 12:03 AM   #13
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Re: valve covers leaking

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Originally Posted by 74 C-30 View Post
as posted above, stock stamped with cork gaskets
Put rubber in! cork will always leak
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Old 09-10-2009, 10:06 PM   #14
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Re: valve covers leaking

ok guys thanks for all the ideas! hopefully once this is solved, for the first time in 12 years I'll get the ol' truck inspected and on the road!
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Old 09-11-2009, 01:48 PM   #15
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Re: valve covers leaking

All the things mentions above are great and I agree with them all. Another thing to keep in mind is that the crankcase builds pressure and needs ventilation. Do you have and vents on the valve covers? I say this because of a similar experience with non vented valve covers that I could not get stopped leaking. We fnially bought some with vents and the leaking stopped immediately bacause of crankcase pressure.
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