Better Valve Cover Gaskets: Cork or Rubber? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TIMSPEED · 08-29-2003, 10:26 PM

Which one should I get to fix my leaking valve covers. I'm thinking rubber...but wouldn't cork swell better? Or is swell bad?

Also, which type of Permatex should I use?
Thanks!

cochino12 · 08-29-2003, 10:27 PM

I've always heard the rubber are better, plus you can reuse them

78chevstepside · 08-29-2003, 11:20 PM

i got rubber vavle cover gaskets. there reusable almost indestructable. they are a bit expensive but they dont leak no permatex required .

**68 Stepside** · 08-30-2003, 01:28 AM

Do yourself a favor and don't cheap out if you buy the rubber ones. The cheap ass rubber gaskets leak badly, or always have for me. I personally have always stuck with thick cork gaskets. To each his own :p

78chevstepside · 08-30-2003, 01:51 AM

The rubber gaskets iam talking about are like aluniumn with rubber coating there and about 3/16 of a inch thick . they are a quality valve cover gasket and cost about 20 dollars. i have took them off half a dozen times with no problem. these gaskets are not cheap and certianly a grade above cork. they are stiff for easy installation but soft enough to seal. cork tend to break for me

**68 Stepside** · 08-30-2003, 04:33 AM

hey 78, now that I know what gaskets you're talking about, I'd have to agree that those are better :p I've just had better luck with cork, over the el-cheapo felpro rubber gaskets. My next set will be steel-shimmed rubber, like you have.

jimfulco · 08-30-2003, 04:51 AM

I like cork, but only the good quality ones. The next-to-last set I put on only lasted 26 years, so I could be wrong.

apstguy · 08-30-2003, 02:05 PM

I do believe Fel-pro now makes vavle cover gaskets in the same material that they do for the one piece oil pan gasket.

scalawag · 08-31-2003, 07:30 AM

i have never used anything but cork. the trick to reusing them is before you put them back on. clean them with either carb cleaner or pvc pipe cleaner, and clean the top of the heads. make sure the covers arent dented to deep.

most of the problems with covers leaking isnt the gaskets its either how they are mounted or the covers a messed up in some way by over tightening them.

*racedvl* · 08-31-2003, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by apstguy
I do believe Fel-pro now makes vavle cover gaskets in the same material that they do for the one piece oil pan gasket.

Yes they do, and I think that's what I'm going with next.

the baron · 08-31-2003, 02:13 PM

Cork...

As I'm a kind of a scrooge , they are manufactured by myself...

The Baron

08-29-2003, 10:26 PM	#1
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Better Valve Cover Gaskets: Cork or Rubber? Which one should I get to fix my leaking valve covers. I'm thinking rubber...but wouldn't cork swell better? Or is swell bad? Also, which type of Permatex should I use? Thanks! __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

08-29-2003, 10:27 PM	#2
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	I've always heard the rubber are better, plus you can reuse them __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

08-30-2003, 01:28 AM	#4
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Do yourself a favor and don't cheap out if you buy the rubber ones. The cheap ass rubber gaskets leak badly, or always have for me. I personally have always stuck with thick cork gaskets. To each his own :p __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

08-30-2003, 04:33 AM	#6
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	hey 78, now that I know what gaskets you're talking about, I'd have to agree that those are better :p I've just had better luck with cork, over the el-cheapo felpro rubber gaskets. My next set will be steel-shimmed rubber, like you have. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

08-30-2003, 02:05 PM	#8
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	I do believe Fel-pro now makes vavle cover gaskets in the same material that they do for the one piece oil pan gasket. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

08-29-2003, 11:20 PM	#3
78chevstepside Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: lacenter, washington Posts: 718	i got rubber vavle cover gaskets. there reusable almost indestructable. they are a bit expensive but they dont leak no permatex required .

08-30-2003, 01:51 AM	#5
78chevstepside Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: lacenter, washington Posts: 718	The rubber gaskets iam talking about are like aluniumn with rubber coating there and about 3/16 of a inch thick . they are a quality valve cover gasket and cost about 20 dollars. i have took them off half a dozen times with no problem. these gaskets are not cheap and certianly a grade above cork. they are stiff for easy installation but soft enough to seal. cork tend to break for me

08-30-2003, 04:51 AM	#7
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	I like cork, but only the good quality ones. The next-to-last set I put on only lasted 26 years, so I could be wrong.

08-31-2003, 07:30 AM	#9
scalawag Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: caledonia ms Posts: 260	me i have never used anything but cork. the trick to reusing them is before you put them back on. clean them with either carb cleaner or pvc pipe cleaner, and clean the top of the heads. make sure the covers arent dented to deep. most of the problems with covers leaking isnt the gaskets its either how they are mounted or the covers a messed up in some way by over tightening them.

08-31-2003, 02:13 PM	#11
the baron Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Liège , Belgium Posts: 263	Cork... As I'm a kind of a scrooge , they are manufactured by myself... The Baron



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