best valve cover gasket / sealant combination

[hemi68charger]

Hey Gang..
I know we've all got our favorite ways of doing this. I'd like to know a proven way of sealing those pesky big block valve covers... Cork? rubber? Composite? with or without sealant? I'm using OEM valve covers, '69 B-body...

Thanks in advance...

[doctor4766]

Finally managed to get a good seal with composite gaskets and a smear of RTV on mine.

[firefighter3931]

The Moroso blue silicone (covered steel) gaskets seem to hold up well and do a nice job. 


Ron

[62 Max]

So does the Fel Pro # 1612,rubber coated fiber,needs no sealer and you can re-use it.

[Cooter]

A Big 'ol bead of Silicone and glue the damn things on the head..Worked when I had a problem right side leaking...

[Back N Black]

A Big 'ol bead of Silicone and glue the damn things on the head..Worked when I had a problem right side leaking...

+1, i tried 3 different gaskets and they all leaked, the only cure was to use silicone with the gasket. Maybe my valve covers were warped a little?

[y3chargerrt]

Fel Pro rubber with a light coating of spray hi tack works for me.

[Cooter]

See, the problem isn't the valve covers...It's the HEADS! That factory heads have an oil rail that isn't level, isn't high enough (Gasket stays soaked in oil at all times), and nowhere near enough bolts.

I know a friend that machined the top of the rails, installed 1/4" "Spacers", and finally got the factory, iron heads to seal up...

[chargd72]

Just used some Indian Head Gasket Compound.  Got it at Pep Boys for $3.

[62 Max]

See, the problem isn't the valve covers...It's the HEADS! That factory heads have an oil rail that isn't level, isn't high enough (Gasket stays soaked in oil at all times), and nowhere near enough bolts.

But,I can show you a 40 yr old engine in a 72 New Yorker,still running,never been apart and hasn't leaked a drop at the valve covers.

And this one has been together since 1992,no leaks.

[tan top]

So does the Fel Pro # 1612,rubber coated fiber,needs no sealer and you can re-use it.

i have the felpro rubber type , not sure on part number but they come in a gasket kit ,  re used them  4 or 5 times so far , all i done when re fitting them is to wipe any oil off  with  lacqure thinner !!   

[Cooter]

See, the problem isn't the valve covers...It's the HEADS! That factory heads have an oil rail that isn't level, isn't high enough (Gasket stays soaked in oil at all times), and nowhere near enough bolts.

But,I can show you a 40 yr old engine in a 72 New Yorker,still running,never been apart and hasn't leaked a drop at the valve covers.

And this one has been together since 1992,no leaks.

And light shines on a dog's ass every now and then too...

[hemi68charger]

See, the problem isn't the valve covers...It's the HEADS! That factory heads have an oil rail that isn't level, isn't high enough (Gasket stays soaked in oil at all times), and nowhere near enough bolts.

But,I can show you a 40 yr old engine in a 72 New Yorker,still running,never been apart and hasn't leaked a drop at the valve covers.

And this one has been together since 1992,no leaks.

And light shines on a dog's ass every now and then too...

OK............. 

[bill440rt]

I have the Mopar orange neoprene ones with no sealant at all, so far so good.
I've also used the black composite ones with a little Permatex Hylomar sealant, that works great too!

[BigBlockSam]

See, the problem isn't the valve covers...It's the HEADS! That factory heads have an oil rail that isn't level, isn't high enough (Gasket stays soaked in oil at all times), and nowhere near enough bolts.

thank you for this thread  i am not a lone!  i'm having a bitch with my rod . the right cover smokes a little at start up . she's fine when she's running but when you let her sit over nite i get a little leak .

[tatrick2me]

The Moroso blue silicone (covered steel) gaskets seem to hold up well and do a nice job. 


Ron

I second this. I also like to stud my attaching bolts.

[quadram4]

Ive been using the Moroso blue gaskets with great results! Expensive but I dnt like doing these jobs twice!
Bob