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Cork big block valve cover gaskets suck

Best I have used were the blue silicone clad metal gaskets.
Moroso Perm-Align Valve Cover Gaskets 93055 for big blocks.
 
The problem with cork is that the heat from the exhaust manifolds dries out the cork on the bottom portion of the valve covers and over time, oil will saturate through them and you'll end up with a drip. Like gonorrhea.
 
Haven't had any trouble with my Felpros even after pulling the covers off a few times for valve adjustments. IMO the head surface and valve covers are the trick, I have aluminum valve covers which make a huge difference.
 
fel-pro 1610 blue strip cork for me. won't use anything else.
Those are the same ones I use....

If your keeping a factory look you have to use cork and they have to have the tabs as the 1610 does. If that is not a concern the Mancini ones are nice....
 
I have two different gaskets. I had a set of rubber ones and the passenger side leaked. So, based on FBBO highest recommendations, I bought the thick Fel Pro gaskets like the ones RC posted a link to and installed that on the leaky side. Now you know my secret.
 
Personally, I've had the opposite issue. I use the cork ones and they've been good to me. My 2nd choice is the rubbers ones. The ones that ALWAYS leaked for me were the very thick "high temp/high performance" ones. All Felpro
 
Ask 10 guys their gasket preference get 12 answers. :lol:

Same with spark plugs, oil & antifreeze. To be fair, my very old, slightly bent, massaged for rocker clearance valve covers & old cast iron heads probably don't have the best sealing surfaces. I "think" the cork conforms a little better to irregularities. When in doubt....RTV silicone
 
Whaaaaaa, sounds like poor installation procedure( thinking too much of new house/garage!) I always liked rubber-coated cork myself.
 
62max, I'm going with bad gasoline! A lot of us have well-tuned forearms for the correct torque to put on those nuts.!
 
You know everything when new had cork gaskets,valve covers,oil pan and trans pan and they didn't leak,ever wonder why ?


That's because back in the day, everyone traded in their cars every 2-3 years before they started leaking and falling apart.
 
62max, I'm going with bad gasoline! A lot of us have well-tuned forearms for the correct torque to put on those nuts.!
 
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