The cork gaskets on my 71 440 are shot and seeping around some of the bolt holes. Probably have not changed them in 15 years. Should I stick with cork or try something else like rubber? What are people using these days? Thanks!
Interesting timing as I was contemplating it was time to go thru the valves on mine.I also use cork but I lightly torque them, come back and retorque, retorque, retorque, retorque…. Sometimes it takes a week and maybe 10 retorquings, depending on gasket thickness to get them stable. On the Hemi I use the steel reinforced cork FelPros. They are pretty thick and take a while to stabilize. Not sure the steel if necessary on wedge head engines. I try not to over-torque to prevent warping the flanges (after I straighten them).
I like the Permatex spray high-tack gasket sealer to adhere them to the valve covers. I’ve found out that when changing gaskets cleanup is real easy. Acetone will barely soften the sealer but PrepSol instantly liquifies it and it just wipes off. Sure beats scraping RTV off of them.
Did you use the Moroso recommended 80"lbs torque?I like to use the Moroso #93055 specially if you need to adjust your valves. They’re reusable.
If you don’t need to adj. your valves, I like to use the Fel-Pro 1610 & gasket sealer.
1969 440 rebuilt 4 years ago. Moroso 93055 Gaskets newly installed on Stock Valve Covers. Currently torqued at 40"lbs. Are you saying back off on the torque?Another fel pro cork guy.
Oem style covers , I use a little bit of gasket sealer to fix them to the covers.