Valve cover gaskets and hold downs - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gcburdic · 11-15-2009, 10:23 PM

Well...now you mention it....It still leaks back there!!!....I have some cork gaskets I'm gonna try....those w/ some rtv is my next hope?!?!...I'll let ya know what happens....Thanks

hayhauler71 · 11-15-2009, 10:51 PM

I have those same covers and went to the hardware store got some 1/4 20 studs and stainless washers and lock nuts. I used fel pro cork rubber gaskets, slip them on the studs and tighten them down no leaks.

fdbdw · 11-16-2009, 11:31 AM

use the "right stuff" comes in a black cheese whiz looking can, ive used it on many different things. You can either use it by itself and it will form its own gasket or use a small beed along with a gasket, Ive never had a leak with it and its good for porus surfaces

BluTrukker · 11-16-2009, 12:08 PM

I know some people will flame me for saying this, but here goes. Put some RTV on both side of the cork gasket, spread it out evenly with your finger. Then install it on the engine and just snug the bolts a little, just until you have full contact with both mating surfaces. If you tighten them too much the cork will rip or squeeze out the side. Next wait a full 24 hrs and go back and torque the bolts down. This has worked for me many times on cheap stamped steel VC's so it should do the trick for yours. However I have used the perma dry gaskets and I have never had them leak, so you may have some other issue. Possibly a warped VC.

Sinister · 11-16-2009, 12:34 PM

I've had good luck with the permadry gaskets as well. Thin coat of RTV on the valve cover side. Don't like the cork gaskets, they get brittle from the heat, then leak.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 11-16-2009, 12:55 PM

gcburdic - I just found this thread and I have the same valve covers that also need polishing up. I am going to pull them and use a buffing wheel on my bench grinder. Is that all you did?

I thought I heard these have some kind of a coating on them that is supposed to make them shiny forever (not!). Did you use a Mothers or other std metal polishing product or did you use a red or white polishing compound? Please let me know, Dan

gcburdic · 11-16-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

gcburdic - I just found this thread and I have the same valve covers that also need polishing up. I am going to pull them and use a buffing wheel on my bench grinder. Is that all you did?

I thought I heard these have some kind of a coating on them that is supposed to make them shiny forever (not!). Did you use a Mothers or other std metal polishing product or did you use a red or white polishing compound? Please let me know, Dan

Dan....I'll send ya a PM....

11-15-2009, 10:23 PM	#26
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,298	Re: Valve cover gaskets and hold downs Well...now you mention it....It still leaks back there!!!....I have some cork gaskets I'm gonna try....those w/ some rtv is my next hope?!?!...I'll let ya know what happens....Thanks __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

11-15-2009, 10:51 PM	#27
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Valve cover gaskets and hold downs I have those same covers and went to the hardware store got some 1/4 20 studs and stainless washers and lock nuts. I used fel pro cork rubber gaskets, slip them on the studs and tighten them down no leaks.

11-16-2009, 11:31 AM	#28
fdbdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: colorado springs Posts: 479	Re: Valve cover gaskets and hold downs use the "right stuff" comes in a black cheese whiz looking can, ive used it on many different things. You can either use it by itself and it will form its own gasket or use a small beed along with a gasket, Ive never had a leak with it and its good for porus surfaces

11-16-2009, 12:08 PM	#29
BluTrukker BOHICA Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stewartville, MN Posts: 440	Re: Valve cover gaskets and hold downs I know some people will flame me for saying this, but here goes. Put some RTV on both side of the cork gasket, spread it out evenly with your finger. Then install it on the engine and just snug the bolts a little, just until you have full contact with both mating surfaces. If you tighten them too much the cork will rip or squeeze out the side. Next wait a full 24 hrs and go back and torque the bolts down. This has worked for me many times on cheap stamped steel VC's so it should do the trick for yours. However I have used the perma dry gaskets and I have never had them leak, so you may have some other issue. Possibly a warped VC. __________________ Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like teaching a pig to dance. It is a waste of your time, and it annoys the pig!

11-16-2009, 12:34 PM	#30
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Valve cover gaskets and hold downs I've had good luck with the permadry gaskets as well. Thin coat of RTV on the valve cover side. Don't like the cork gaskets, they get brittle from the heat, then leak. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

11-16-2009, 12:55 PM	#31
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,338	Re: Valve cover gaskets and hold downs gcburdic - I just found this thread and I have the same valve covers that also need polishing up. I am going to pull them and use a buffing wheel on my bench grinder. Is that all you did? I thought I heard these have some kind of a coating on them that is supposed to make them shiny forever (not!). Did you use a Mothers or other std metal polishing product or did you use a red or white polishing compound? Please let me know, Dan



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