Damn leaky chrom valve covers!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dubie · 07-13-2005, 09:39 AM

I have some aftermarket chrome covers on my 350 that just won't stop leaking. I even bought gaskets that were double the thickness and then seem to leak even worse now. I would like to keep these covers on the engine, and would like to know what you guys use for gaskets on these. I believe they are TD Specialties brand covers

Mudder · 07-13-2005, 09:52 AM

They are probably warped Tim. To keep them you are going to have to find something that you can lay them on and tap the warp back out of them using some straight pieces of steel. When u bolt them down using extra thick gaskets the area where the bolts are goes down but the ends are still being held up with the gaskets, warping them.

CHEVYE · 07-13-2005, 10:27 AM

i've never had chrome ones leak. i put thick gaskets on and coat both sides. i always use the tabs to distribute the pressure too, and only tighten them @ 6 lbs. or so. some people even scuff the chrome up on the bottom side of the cover, i've never had to resort to that one yet.

Mudder might be right, yours might be warped.

dubie · 07-13-2005, 10:38 AM

I also have them sealed up and use the tabs to spread out the weight. I made sure not to tighten em up to much, but they still leak like a biatch. I'll have to find some time to see if there is a warp in them

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-13-2005, 11:26 AM

I have found that if you take a fine grit sand paper like 600 or so to the sealing surface then the valve covers will stick to the gasket. I also use a light coating of silicone to coat the gaskets with. The isea is to give the silicone a surface that it can stick to. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

panhandler62 · 07-13-2005, 11:32 AM

I'm lucky enough to have late model heads on mine that are center bolted, but I had this issue a lot on my 71 Camaro.

My solution then was nothing elaborate -- I got the thick rubbery gaskets, sealed them to the valve covers and used extra long (~4") tabs. These were extra tall stamped aluminum valve covers, not the cast variety.

70 shorty · 07-13-2005, 12:58 PM

Had the same problem on my inline, and eventually just put the stock one back on. Sorry I'm no help at all.

fastwillie 696969 · 07-13-2005, 01:12 PM

dubie take them to a wire wheel on a grinder and take off the chrome on the mating surface of the valve cover so the gasket dont slide around and leak
i found this out years ago when i change to rear differental cover to a chrome and valve covers (old timer next door) told me to take off the chrome and it work no leaks until the cork gasket got old and dried out but for years i had no problems

dubie · 07-13-2005, 01:40 PM

awesome tip!! I'll be doin that as soon as I find some time
Thanks guys

blueglass · 07-13-2005, 02:28 PM

As a suggestion I would look for Chrome covers that have a lip on the bottom of the covers as it folds down over the outside of the gasket about 1/8th of a inch. I have used this type and have found that they fit much better then the others. The outside lip adds more pressure on the gaskets and helps them seal much better.

dubie · 07-13-2005, 02:36 PM

thats the type I have on this one and they haven't sealed worth anything. I'll try rouging up the mating surface, never thought of it sliding on the gasket before

86SILVERADO · 07-13-2005, 07:05 PM

It seems to me that the few times I have fired/filled anything up immediately after gooping up a gasket it will leak. I would be willing to bet that if you degrease everything real good use silicone on both sides bolt everything down and then wait overnight before starting it up it will not leak. The stuff just needs time to cure before it comes into contact with the oil.

*Randy70C-10* · 07-13-2005, 07:10 PM

Well if ya don't figure it out, I'll be there in a few days to help.

fastwillie 696969 · 07-13-2005, 07:14 PM

do you have any gorillia snot
or weatherstripping glue(yellow stuff) thats good for cork gaskets too

*Randy70C-10* · 07-13-2005, 07:44 PM

That's what I use, no problems ever. You have to get both surfaces clean first. I use paint thinner.

CHEVYE · 07-13-2005, 09:40 PM

i use indian head. it's nasty stuff but seals like a charm.

*wolfthing2000* · 07-13-2005, 09:41 PM

Find the permatex AVIATION grade gasket sealer. It applys like rubber cement. Get everything as straight as possible and rough up the surfaces on the covers. Glue the gasket to the cover, if you go my route I don't apply it to the heads, it allows you to take them off. I use the cork gaskets and DO NOT over torque.

*Tanker350* · 07-14-2005, 03:40 AM

This is what I use and I have no problems at all. I pulled this off of the SummitRacing Website.

Look at Fel-Pro # VS12869T

They resist high heat and vacuum.
Fel-Pro's PermaDry Plus valve cover gaskets feature precision edge-molded silicone rubber, which resists high heat and delivers reliable sealing on irregular surfaces. This silicone rubber is wrapped around a rigid carrier that adds strength to the gasket, to resist being sucked in under high vacuum or blown out when under pressure. At the same time, it also prevents over-tightening of the mounting bolts. Note, however, that these gaskets are not intended for race applications.

FEL-VS12869T $33.99

Brand: Fel-Pro
Product Line: Fel-Pro PermaDry Plus Valve Cover Gaskets
Gasket Material: Embossed shim with precision rubber coating
Quantity: Sold as a pair.

Valve Cover Gaskets, PermaDry Plus, Embossed Shim with Precision Rubber Coating, Chevy, Small Block, Pair

blueglass · 07-14-2005, 03:45 PM

I am useing the Fel Pro brand myself and find them to be very good except for the little space at the rear on the drivers side. I will reglue them again and put more on the ends of the covers. Like anybody I hate to have the little drips all over the place.

07-13-2005, 09:39 AM	#1
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	Damn leaky chrom valve covers!! I have some aftermarket chrome covers on my 350 that just won't stop leaking. I even bought gaskets that were double the thickness and then seem to leak even worse now. I would like to keep these covers on the engine, and would like to know what you guys use for gaskets on these. I believe they are TD Specialties brand covers __________________ 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

07-13-2005, 10:27 AM	#3
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	i've never had chrome ones leak. i put thick gaskets on and coat both sides. i always use the tabs to distribute the pressure too, and only tighten them @ 6 lbs. or so. some people even scuff the chrome up on the bottom side of the cover, i've never had to resort to that one yet. Mudder might be right, yours might be warped. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

07-13-2005, 10:38 AM	#4
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	I also have them sealed up and use the tabs to spread out the weight. I made sure not to tighten em up to much, but they still leak like a biatch. I'll have to find some time to see if there is a warp in them __________________ 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

07-13-2005, 11:26 AM	#5
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	I have found that if you take a fine grit sand paper like 600 or so to the sealing surface then the valve covers will stick to the gasket. I also use a light coating of silicone to coat the gaskets with. The isea is to give the silicone a surface that it can stick to. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-13-2005, 12:58 PM	#7
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	Had the same problem on my inline, and eventually just put the stock one back on. Sorry I'm no help at all. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

07-13-2005, 09:52 AM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	They are probably warped Tim. To keep them you are going to have to find something that you can lay them on and tap the warp back out of them using some straight pieces of steel. When u bolt them down using extra thick gaskets the area where the bolts are goes down but the ends are still being held up with the gaskets, warping them.

07-13-2005, 11:32 AM	#6
panhandler62 Java Mechanic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 6,763	I'm lucky enough to have late model heads on mine that are center bolted, but I had this issue a lot on my 71 Camaro. My solution then was nothing elaborate -- I got the thick rubbery gaskets, sealed them to the valve covers and used extra long (~4") tabs. These were extra tall stamped aluminum valve covers, not the cast variety.

07-13-2005, 01:12 PM	#8
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	dubie take them to a wire wheel on a grinder and take off the chrome on the mating surface of the valve cover so the gasket dont slide around and leak i found this out years ago when i change to rear differental cover to a chrome and valve covers (old timer next door) told me to take off the chrome and it work no leaks until the cork gasket got old and dried out but for years i had no problems __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

07-13-2005, 01:40 PM	#9
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	awesome tip!! I'll be doin that as soon as I find some time Thanks guys __________________ 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

07-13-2005, 02:28 PM	#10
blueglass Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: London Ont, Canada. Posts: 92	As a suggestion I would look for Chrome covers that have a lip on the bottom of the covers as it folds down over the outside of the gasket about 1/8th of a inch. I have used this type and have found that they fit much better then the others. The outside lip adds more pressure on the gaskets and helps them seal much better.

07-13-2005, 02:36 PM	#11
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	thats the type I have on this one and they haven't sealed worth anything. I'll try rouging up the mating surface, never thought of it sliding on the gasket before __________________ 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

07-13-2005, 07:05 PM	#12
86SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hills of Western Mass Posts: 626	It seems to me that the few times I have fired/filled anything up immediately after gooping up a gasket it will leak. I would be willing to bet that if you degrease everything real good use silicone on both sides bolt everything down and then wait overnight before starting it up it will not leak. The stuff just needs time to cure before it comes into contact with the oil. __________________ 86 Silverado C10 back to 305 power! 67 C30 Dually Dump, with 350 transplant, Rockhauler 05 Duramax 3500 "If at first you don't succeed, try a bigger hammer" Member of the 1-Ton club!

07-13-2005, 07:10 PM	#13
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Well if ya don't figure it out, I'll be there in a few days to help.

07-13-2005, 07:14 PM	#14
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	do you have any gorillia snot or weatherstripping glue(yellow stuff) thats good for cork gaskets too __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

07-13-2005, 07:44 PM	#15
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	That's what I use, no problems ever. You have to get both surfaces clean first. I use paint thinner.



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07-13-2005, 09:40 PM	#16
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	i use indian head. it's nasty stuff but seals like a charm. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

07-13-2005, 09:41 PM	#17
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	Find the permatex AVIATION grade gasket sealer. It applys like rubber cement. Get everything as straight as possible and rough up the surfaces on the covers. Glue the gasket to the cover, if you go my route I don't apply it to the heads, it allows you to take them off. I use the cork gaskets and DO NOT over torque.

07-14-2005, 03:40 AM	#18
Tanker350 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Palm Desert, Ca Posts: 410	This is what I use and I have no problems at all. I pulled this off of the SummitRacing Website. Look at Fel-Pro # VS12869T They resist high heat and vacuum. Fel-Pro's PermaDry Plus valve cover gaskets feature precision edge-molded silicone rubber, which resists high heat and delivers reliable sealing on irregular surfaces. This silicone rubber is wrapped around a rigid carrier that adds strength to the gasket, to resist being sucked in under high vacuum or blown out when under pressure. At the same time, it also prevents over-tightening of the mounting bolts. Note, however, that these gaskets are not intended for race applications. FEL-VS12869T $33.99 Brand: Fel-Pro Product Line: Fel-Pro PermaDry Plus Valve Cover Gaskets Gasket Material: Embossed shim with precision rubber coating Quantity: Sold as a pair. Valve Cover Gaskets, PermaDry Plus, Embossed Shim with Precision Rubber Coating, Chevy, Small Block, Pair Attached Images

07-14-2005, 03:45 PM	#19
blueglass Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: London Ont, Canada. Posts: 92	I am useing the Fel Pro brand myself and find them to be very good except for the little space at the rear on the drivers side. I will reglue them again and put more on the ends of the covers. Like anybody I hate to have the little drips all over the place.

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