Cork big block valve cover gaskets suck

[old guys rule]

I use Felpro thick rubber gaskets and they last practically forever. big block: Federal Mogul 55288 or Pep Boys vs50145r. Hope this helps if you are still struggling.

 

[khryslerkid]

I've been using these lately with good results....

http://www.autozone.com/external-en...t/felpro-valve-cover-gasket/72303_226226_6534

Thats what I'm trying at the moment. They will crack if folded too far. I found a cracked one in my first set that I ordered.

That's because back in the day, everyone traded in their cars every 2-3 years before they started leaking and falling apart.

Unless you were poor like my family. That car had to last two or three generations!

Thank God we never got gonorrhea from working on one!

 

[Hemirunner]

Just weld the valve covers to the heads.... sheesh... amateurs....

 

[themechanic]

Talk about welding... I worked with another guy, we both were about 16, who had a Nova. He said it never had leaks because he used yellow Super Weatherstrip Adhesive on all his sealing surfases.

 

[Dibbons]

I worked with another guy... He said it never had leaks because he used yellow Super Weatherstrip Adhesive on all his sealing surfases.

I used that (strong smelling, too) back in the day to glue the gaskets to one surface, but that stuff does not fill gaps on the opposite side obviously.

 

[WileE]

You also have to be aware of the age of cork gaskets. Old ones that have sat on a parts shelf for years will already be dry & brittle = instant leak

 

[moparwacko]

You also have to be aware of the age of cork gaskets. Old ones that have sat on a parts shelf for years will already be dry & brittle = instant leak

Yep, back in the day.......
Worked in a garage when I was youngster, and the old guy used to lay cork gaskets in a tray of Marvel Mystery Oil overnight. Pat them dry and they were real supple, never a leak. Some tricks I suppose you gotta share.

 

[moper]

I've always used cork. Glue them to the covers with weatherstrip adhesive. Use nothing on the head side. I had the same set on my solid cammed 440 for 3 years. With lash adjustments every time it was racing. Don't overtorque, and if your covers are bent, or whipped, replace them. torque the two center bolts first, then the top two, then the corners. They won't leak.

 

[khryslerkid]

I always liked the idea of gluing the gasket to the valve cover but I don't like the yellow adhesive.

Then when I installed my cast aluminum covers I found it in black. I know, you won't see it. Just use yellow and you'll get some on the gasket where it shows!

The black is a little thinner than the yellow, apply it to the cover, then to the one side of the gasket and put them together. This tube was just enough to do both covers. Done deal...

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

I have used many different style and composition and I find the SUPERPORMANCE gaskets to be the best.No wicking EVER!

 

[themechanic]

You also have to be aware of the age of cork gaskets. Old ones that have sat on a parts shelf for years will already be dry & brittle = instant leak

But it's a matching numbers car and has to be 100 point show car with NOS gaskets and all.

 

[themechanic]

For the record, I am not promoting gluing your engines together with weatherstrip adhesive. I was merely pointing out the ignorance of my young co-worker.

 

[62MAX]

Other than cork,only one I'll ever use,rubber coated fiber,don't leak,no adhesive needed and you can use them again.

 

[moper]

For the record, I am not promoting gluing your engines together with weatherstrip adhesive. I was merely pointing out the ignorance of my young co-worker.

No shame here. Weatherstrip adhesive (also affectionately called gorilla snot...lol) has been used to adhere gaskets since the 70s. It's more flexible than shellac and sticks to anything. Oil doesn't affect it. There is no down side unless you use too much or put it on both sides. I've used it since about '89. At the time I was an ASE Master tech, and I found out about it by someone asking me for gorilla snot...lol.

 

[WileE]

I've used Indian head since around the early 70's.

 

[Bighead440]

I bet they're hard to find now, but Chrysler used to sell exhaust manifold gaskets with built-in heat shields to alleviate this exact problem on late '70s New Yorkers/Newports/Cordobas with the upswept (like '60s "HP") manifolds. I used them on everything with iron manifolds until either Chrysler discontinued them or I left the dealership in 1994 (can't remember which). One piece laminated foil/fiber/foil gasket just like FelPro, etc. but with an extension to protect the valve cover area only.

 

[oldbee]

Highest I think ur right, kinda remember some of those; maybe when the emissions came in with hotter running engines?

 

[Bighead440]

I bet they're hard to find now, but Chrysler used to sell exhaust manifold gaskets with built-in heat shields to alleviate this exact problem on late '70s New Yorkers/Newports/Cordobas with the upswept (like '60s "HP") manifolds. I used them on everything with iron manifolds until either Chrysler discontinued them or I left the dealership in 1994 (can't remember which). One piece laminated foil/fiber/foil gasket just like FelPro, etc. but with an extension to protect the valve cover area only.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...-BC9sTK-BKEcZ5vnYQWTjkbrAzZgUIwjnYaAjX68P8HAQ