Valve cover gasket install, again.

[Dino]

I recently installed rubber/cork gaskets.  I have cheap stamped steel chrome covers so before I installed them I made sure the rails were straight and none of the holes are sunk in.  I glued the gaskets to the covers with Permatex ultra copper and clamped them down evenly for a while.  I then installed the covers with the gasket dry on the heads.  I had plenty little leaks and didn't know better than to torque them down as much as I could.  I realize now that was a mistake.  Although much less, the covers still leaked.

I removed the covers yesterday and the gaskets were soaking wet on both sides so they have been trashed.  I'm picking up a set of Mr. Gasket ultra seals this morning and would like to know the best procedure for installing these.  Do I need to install these dry or use gasket sealer?  If so, which one?  I hear people have had some success with ultra blue.

EDIT:  Change of plan, the ultra seals are out of stock and I can't get them locally.  So I'm getting the Felpro VS50145R set.  I hear they work pretty well.  So same question, install dry or with gasket maker?

[c00nhunterjoe]

I siliconed both sides of mine.

[ODZKing]

Dino, NAPA $12 Part Number: FPG VS13379R
Product Line: FEL-PRO Cover Gasket - RUBBER
And Permatex Oil Resistance High Torque Gasket Maker

[Dino]

Thanks guys, I think sealer on both sides is the way to go.  Bob the felpro's are not to be found either, not sure what the deal is with the gasket shortage here all of a sudden!   

The ones I'm getting get pretty decent reviews even on this site, they are rubber coated fiber which supposedly hold up better to the headers.  These things get so hot that they have ruined quite a bit of gaskets in the past.  I'll glue them to the covers again and will put a bead on the heads, careful not to drop any inside.  Instead of having them cure overnight I'm just giving it a few hours and will install them and snug them up.  Tomorrow I'll snug them up some more and go give them a try.

[hawkeye]

I am just getting ready to put on the valve covers and have the cork ones.  I just called NAPA and they are going to have a set of FPG VS13379R on Tuesday for me.  Thanks for the heads up.

[Dino]

I just realized that I had those Felpro gaskets on mine.  They did seal very nicely but the headers eventually ruined them.  Just a heads up.  If you run manifolds it may be perfectly fine.

[hawkeye]

I am running the HP manifolds but thanks for telling me. 

[johntpr]

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7855502&an=0&page=0#Post7855502

[tan top]

no idea on the part number ,  as they come in the felpro complete engine gasket set  for a 440 .
   but had the felpro rubber type on mine for 8 years ,  had the valve covers on & off  lots prolly more than 10 times since , changing cams , heads  etc , still seal up ok !!  don't use any  instant gasket / sealer either !!   make sure both gasket surfaces are free from any debris & shiny metal , then wipe both surfaces &  rubber gasket with lacquer thinner or paint shop panel wipe / degreaser !   , then bolt them down in the normal way !!   they are good   ,

before that had the felpro black fiber type , they were  ok too , but needed to stick them on with  sealer , other wise they would leak or seep oil ! & would break every time the valve cover was removed , the cork type were the same too !

 go for the felpro rubber ones !!  

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7855502&an=0&page=0#Post7855502

Those are the gaskets I got upon John's recommendation as well.

Just painted up my new set of AMD repro valve covers & will install them shortly.  They are supposed to be the end-all for Big Block VC's!

[Dino]

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7855502&an=0&page=0#Post7855502

Those are the gaskets I got upon John's recommendation as well.

Just painted up my new set of AMD repro valve covers & will install them shortly.  They are supposed to be the end-all for Big Block VC's!

If these fail... 

Be sure to post a review when they're on!

I just installed the rubber/fiber ones.  They seemed much the same as the rubber/cork ones I just tossed, but these are more flexible.  I installed them with ultra copper on both sides seeing it is high heat resistant and works well on the intake manifold. 

If it still leaks it's not for lack of trying.  I spent an hour cleaning the heads with brake cleaner.  I then put a nice bead of ultra copper all around the perimeter and around the bolts.  I did the same on the valve cover side and stuck the gaskets in place.  I snugged them down without cranking on them and will reseat them tomorrow morning.  I'll be out all day but will fire it up tomorrow evening or Monday.
Here's hoping!

[Mopar Nut]

I haven't had any problems with Moroso Perm-Align Valve Cover Gaskets.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/93055/10002/-1

[BrianShaughnessy]

If your valve cover gaskets are getting cooked by the exhaust manifolds or headers...  try one of E-Boogers's fixes that I've been using for a long while.
Factory type exhaust manifold gaskets...  these are FEL PRO MS90425.  Same thing that went on cop car 440s.   Find them on rockauto, etc.  (78 Monaco 7.2L ).
If you want real mopar gaskets you'll have to buy them on ebay from Rick... he bought out the last stock Chrysler had awhile back. 

[Dino]

Any of those may be in my future as my current set 'may' still leak.  I say may because I only found a small spot on the cardboard after sitting a day and night, but the outside of the engine is pretty lubricated from the last leaky gaskets so it may just be run off.  I do have plenty thread left to torque them down more but I don't want to push it either or I may create even more leaks.  At least there is no more oil on the headers.   

[AKcharger]

Hmmmm, I thought I was the only one with VC leaks! Cork, rubber, sealed, not sealed copper, high temp RTV, doesn't matter, best I could ever get is a few months till it would leak. Just ordered a set of those superformce gaskets, let's see if they work as good as they say!

[Mopar Nut]

Has anyone tried valve cover hold-downs?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Help-3-in-valve-cover-hold-down-kit/_/N-26d4?itemIdentifier=102984_0_0_

[Dino]

Has anyone tried valve cover hold-downs?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Help-3-in-valve-cover-hold-down-kit/_/N-26d4?itemIdentifier=102984_0_0_

Mine look similar to those but don't have the flared tips. 

[AKcharger]

Hmm, their cheap enough, think I'll get some of those too while I'm at it, thx! 

[70-500-SE-EXPORT]

I yried every gasket on the market and still had leaks on the rear of the valve cover on my 383. I was only able to stop the leak with the Moroso Perm-Aligns. They were dry for about 6 months then started leaking slowly. Now after 2 years they are leaking a lot and dripping all over my headers.

Anyone try the superperformance gasksts? I wonder why they are .187 thick.

[Dino]

I have one small leak left.  Somewhere on the back of the cover.  It runs down the block and leaves a spot about 3 inches across.  That's the best it's ever been unfortunately.

[Cncguy]

Don't forget to retighten the bolts after the engine has run awhile.

[AKcharger]

Well thanks to this post I went and replaced my '72 valve cover gaskets. I don't expect any leaks immediately, will have to check back in a few months. Notes

- Seems my old gaskets (Rubber and Cork) only fail on the PAX side middle right next to the HP manifold. Leaks between the cover and the gasket...gasket to head was good
- The Superformance gaskets are notably thicker than the cork/rubber ones
- I used those hold downs on the bottom, but scuffed them and painted 'em blue
- The gaskets did "bunch up" a bit but I don't expect that to be an issue

OK well...guess We'll check back in around Jan  

[Cooter]

IMO, due to an inherent design flaw, (mainly oil channel, or valve cover rail nor being cast high enough) one will never really stop VC leaks. Aluminum have taller rails. Therefore, no leaks.

[c00nhunterjoe]

IMO, due to an inherent design flaw, (mainly oil channel, or valve cover rail nor being cast high enough) one will never really stop VC leaks. Aluminum have taller rails. Therefore, no leaks.

Yup. I pretty much agree. The oil lays against the gasket on the heads. Add the "as cast" valve cover sealing surface to the mix and its a recipe for a leak. I have seen guys that machine the surface for a better seal but that can get costly and you are maki g the area shorter too. So far im doing pretty good with my 516's using the moroso rubber over steel gaskets glued on both sides with ford 7.3 diesel silicone. Its the nastiest rtv ever made and im leak free this whole season.

[AKcharger]

A little late checking back in...but those super gaskets leak just like the others   

[johntpr]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cometic-Valve-Cover-Gasket-C5983-/191721608427?hash=item2ca37f94eb

these are my latest favorites....great gaskets

[Dino]

At almost $50 shipped per gasket, they better work!  So what's so special about these?

[johntpr]

Reusable and the rubber has groves that match up to the factory stock valve cover groves under the lip. Very well made. No sealer needed and retains it's shape.

[Dino]

No kidding?  In that case I may actually splurge and get a set because I'm tired of leaks and I don't want my pretty new engine bay covered in oil again!

[myk]

Your bay is so pristine now I would understand if you didn't want to put the engine back in at all.  As for the valve covers, I'm taking the stance from the Jeep guys: hey, it's a Mopar, they're supposed to leak...

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

A little late checking back in...but those super gaskets leak just like the others   

late for me as well but surprisingly these worked well for me.  I did have to do a fair amount of trimming to get them to sit flat on the cover and I think I went too far on one of the bolt holes(had to use a bit of extra silicone to stop seepage)
Overall Im pleased with them

[Charger-Bodie]

Superformance gaskets are doing great in my 440.

[AKcharger]

Well, I'm still stuck with leaking valve covers...none of these "Wunder gaskets" work. Could it be the valve cover? I have a set of new M/T valve covers, think those might work any better? maybe the screw holes on the factory ones ore just worn Out?

Or at least give me a suggestion of what combination will last for a few weeks, as it is now I pull up to a stop light and smoke is coming from under the hood 

Thanks!

[myk]

Wow that's bad.  Have you put a straight edge to the covers or the heads?

[AKcharger]

No, boy I hope that's not an issue, but I'll have to look at that. I discounted it because they'll be ok for a few weeks then start leaking. I figure if they were warped they'd leak right away.

What is really frustrating is searching between here and Mopars  there is no one answer. Some people swear by sealing, others claiming to be professional mechanics, say put them on dry, some swear by cork, others say Wunder gaskets...I mean it runs the complete spectrum.

[AKcharger]

OK, I feel stupid and this is embarrassing, but it's just too funny not to share...I think I found the issue  Now in what little defense I can muster who would have thought the bolts would be too long?...or perhaps 440source didn't drill the heads deep enough??

So I'm going to get some studs and a new gasket tomorrow and have at it again. oh that wunder gasket just ripped apart when I pulled the cover off, it was sealed.

[myk]

Lol, hope that's the problem....

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Yikes!

[AKcharger]

Well it seems like the pax side valve cover is warped  If I reinstall it without the gasket it has a gap at the back if I push on the front and vise versa. I test fit the drivers side and it was fine.

I think I'll get a replacement valve cover just to make sure...

[AKcharger]

I just happen to have found 1 ea. new PAX side valve cover on ebay, so project on hold till it arrives 

[AKcharger]

Oh, sorry never updated this, the new valve cover with a properly sealed hard rubber works fine. I also added studs instead of bolts...that is the way to go!