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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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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
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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 |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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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.
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#3 |
my gas saver
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 2,046
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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.
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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 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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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
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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 |
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#5 |
Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!!
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512
Posts: 10,770
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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
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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 |
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#6 |
Java Mechanic
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 6,764
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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. |
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#7 |
Where's my beer?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 1,770
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Had the same problem on my inline, and eventually just put the stock one back on. Sorry I'm no help at all.
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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 |
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#8 |
~Rest In Peace~
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL
Posts: 9,707
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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
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is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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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 |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London Ont, Canada.
Posts: 92
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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.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,855
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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 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hills of Western Mass
Posts: 626
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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.
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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! |
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#13 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A.
Posts: 15,320
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Well if ya don't figure it out, I'll be there in a few days to help.
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#14 |
~Rest In Peace~
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL
Posts: 9,707
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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 |
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#15 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A.
Posts: 15,320
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That's what I use, no problems ever. You have to get both surfaces clean first. I use paint thinner.
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#16 |
my gas saver
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 2,046
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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 |
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#17 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,276
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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.
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#18 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Palm Desert, Ca
Posts: 410
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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 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London Ont, Canada.
Posts: 92
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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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