Anyone ever double up the cork valve pan gaskets?

[lbrowne]

Mine is leaking on the driver side, I'm just going to replace them on both sides.

The driver side seems to be the one that always leaks somewhat and well last night it really started leaking.

I've heard of doubling up the cork gaskets (can't do it with rubber), but I was thinking of just running a thin line of rtv around the lip of the valve pan and then putting the new gasket on.

[78 Chevyrado]

Sounds like the valve cover is bent or warped out of shape. every time I remove one of mine I restraiten them out, and where the bolts go, I leave the hole domed upwards just a bit.

From what I've seen, it's usually the stamped steel covers that leak, but I haven't seen any of the cast covers have a problem so far.

As for trying double gaskets, won't hurt to try, but I'd think it would be even more places to possibly leak. I've had good luck with the rubber perma torque blue gaskets from fel-pro and straitening out the valve covers as perfectly as possible.

[veinbar]

I use the rubber valve cover gaskets meant for later center bolt valve covers. I put clean holes through the gasket either with a small drill or a hot coat hanger to keep the gasket from tearing. The end result... No leaks, and reusable valve cover gaskets. I agree with 78chevyrado though, try straightening the covers before reinstalling.

[motornut]

yup the covers are prob bent
i hold the edge over a 2x4 and tap it flat
my 78 had the fancy hand tighteners
between those and the stamped twisted covers,all it did was leak

been changed

[rayfinseats]

Ya, the vc holes get bent out and need pounded flat. 2 gaskets not the right way to do things. Some guys just use the gasket maker but that stuff can get in places you don't want it like the oil pump.

[Redcap]

I use the regular cork gaskets, but I cake both sides with RTV and let it cure for a little bit. End result? No leaks.

[abebummy26]

Another thing that you could check is to see if there is a burr on the gasket surface, of the head.

[lbrowne]

Originally Posted by abebummy26

Another thing that you could check is to see if there is a burr on the gasket surface, of the head.

It's got to be the valve cover, it leaked before the new heads and after the new heads. It should be coming off this weekend.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

WHY is it ALWAYS the drivers side that leaks?

[motornut]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

WHY is it ALWAYS the drivers side that leaks?

i've seen it at the back on the pass side where the ground strap goes
they get turned up and stop the VC from going down

[Psycho71]

I used to run nothing but the rubber gaskets, until I used a set of rubbers with the steel shim sandwiched in them. Now I have a new love in this dept. because they are completely re-usable.

Like other have said, make sure the surface is as flat as it can be, and the bolt holes are at least flat or domed up a bit. Get some of the load spreaders too so the bolt holes won't dome down anymore.

I stick the gaskets to my valve covers using a liberal amount of black RTV, then place them gasket down on a flat surface and let the RTV dry completely. Once dry, I put a thin coating of Vasoline on the face of the gasket and bolt it on, being very careful to NOT overtighten them. Warm the engine up and recheck tightness. How tight is kind of a developed thing for me over the years. But I have done several sets of my own and some for buddies this way and they do not leak, not even the cheapest chi-comm valve covers.

I would never stack two corkies together. Just asking for the gasket to pooch out and leak REALLY BAD!

[BusinessProfessor]

Doesn't anyone use the old fashioned Indian Head Gasket Cement? We always used it on both sides of the cork gaskets and never had a problem. (Old school-I'll be 60 in two weeks)

[motornut]

Originally Posted by BusinessProfessor

Doesn't anyone use the old fashioned Indian Head Gasket Cement? We always used it on both sides of the cork gaskets and never had a problem. (Old school-I'll be 60 in two weeks)

i have but on the center bolt covers,seem harder to stretch and hold while flipping

[lbrowne]

Found the problem. Rubber gaskets were leaking, the driver valve pan was somehow damaged/bent at the rear lip. I have no idea how it got like that but the rubber gasket held it for a bit then just gave way.