Valve cover gaskets

[Sonny]

Just bought a pair of AMD steel stock repop valve covers for my 440’s 452 heads. Bought gaskets from Napa but they are the hard composite type without tabs. Are these good to use on stock covers? If so do I use a glue or rtv? Should I get cork instead? Don’t want any oil leaks later.

 

[RemCharger]

I like and use those.. you usually have to "fit them to the cover, I gently touch them up on a bench grinder. Ultra black rtv, sparingly, not like a bazooka tube caulking gun.

 

[Sonny]

I like and use those.. you usually have to "fit them to the cover, I gently touch them up on a bench grinder. Ultra black rtv, sparingly, not like a bazooka tube caulking gun.

I noticed it was a bit too long.

 

[65-440]

For stock stamp steel covers I use cork gaskets with ultra black between the cork and valve cover. Sit it on a bench cork side down for a few minutes, and if going on a factory iron head a little ultra black on the cork facing the head. On aluminum heads I usually go on dry or some aviation form a gasket.....no leaks either way!

 

[shepherm]

For stock stamp steel covers I use cork gaskets with ultra black between the cork and valve cover. Sit it on a bench cork side down for a few minutes, and if going on a factory iron head a little ultra black on the cork facing the head. On aluminum heads I usually go on dry or some aviation form a gasket.....no leaks either way!

I use the same, well I use the cork with aviation #3 on both. I seem to use aviation #3 or super "300" on just about everything.

 

[WileERobby]

Started using this 50 years ago... and still to this day.

 

[khryslerkid]

I used this trick last and it really works great.

Get yourself a tube of 3M Weather Strip adhesive (black). Clean the valve cover surface with a good cleaner (lacquer thinner, parts cleaner) Run a light bead of the adhesive on the valve cover and on the gasket. Place the two together.

Now make sure the head surface has been cleaned and free of oil. (Use the same cleaner you used on the valve covers)

Get yourself a tube of Permatex Ultra Black Gasket Maker and run a bead of this on the gasket surface that goes against the head. Place the valve cover on the head and start all the fasteners. Just finger tight at first then wait one hour. After the hour is up snug all the hardware with a nut driver and tighten hand tight. Wait 24 hours before starting the engine to give the gasket maker time to cure.

You could substitute the Permatex Gasket Maker with Permatex The Right Stuff. The Right Stuff can be placed in service right away. I like either one.

 

[65-440]

View attachment 1220335 Started using this 50 years ago... and still to this day.

You don't use it very much if that little bottle has lasted you 50yrs ...

 

[65-440]

I use the same, well I use the cork with aviation #3 on both. I seem to use aviation #3 or super "300" on just about everything.

I do to, I use it a lot. It's also nice when you have to take something back apart, the cork gasket comes off in 1 piece!

 

[65-440]

I used this trick last and it really works great.

Get yourself a tube of 3M Weather Strip adhesive (black).

Until you have to clean that **** off, it sucks! I hate going behind people that use weatherstrip glue!

 

[Bee1971]

I agree - Very reason I don’t use any glue or rtv with the valve cover gaskets or oil pan gaskets

 

[shepherm]

I do to, I use it a lot. It's also nice when you have to take something back apart, the cork gasket comes off in 1 piece!

Long story, but I had to take a water pump off two times a couple weeks ago. The gasket was still perfect and I reused it the third time. No leaks on a old pitted water pump with super 300. I also had to remove a timing cover with aviation #3 and it was exactly the same. Both of these had sat for days before I remove them and they still removed cleanly.

I agree - Very reason I don’t use any glue or rtv with the valve cover gaskets or oil pan gaskets

I used to use RTV on a lot of valve covers and oil pans, what a mistake and mess when you need to remove it. I'm sold on the Super 300 and aviation #3 for items that need to be removed later.

 

[1968rt]

Cork gasket with sealer on valve cover side only! I used Gasgacinch, works good on valve covers