383 Valve cover gasket leaking (stock covers)

[criner28]

I replaced the right side with a Fel-Pro rubber gasket 2 years ago and it's leaking again. I've got everything cleaned up, but I want to use another type gasket. I'm hesitant to use cork. Any suggestions. Someone mentioned a rubber over steel gasket.

 

[Coyote]

I’ve had great luck with the rubber Fel Pro.
Are your valve covers distorted?

After 50 years of use the bolt area could be tweaked. Check with a straight edge to make sure.

They should last longerthan that. Good luck!

 

[dmartin]

Mine leak a little but you got to keep an eye on the bolts cause they do get loose

 

[Russ69Runner]

cork with a little bit of oil on them. Seam's the rubber always have problem's. May be a thin coat Permatex will help on the rubber. I would also check to see if any bolt's are loose.

 

[droptop]

I have always had problems with this. I think it is the hp exhaust manifolds. All the heat is right by the valve cover. I even use the hp gaskets, but after a 3-4 hour run on the interstate, they are just toast. Just the nature of the beast. Good thing, it only takes about an hour to change both sides and costs about 20 bucks.

 

[RonLiv]

I ditto the loose bolt comments. This happened to me.

 

[Russ69Runner]

So what was the fix RonLiv. New gasket's or what?

 

[RonLiv]

So what was the fix RonLiv. New gasket's or what?

Just torqued them back down. No leak now.

 

[Russ69Runner]

Got ya. That never seems to work for me always end up putting on a new set.

 

[RonLiv]

I only had it happen once , small amount of oil on the floor, just a few drops here and there. I could see the oil on the cover so I just put the torque wrench on the bolts. A few were loose. It was a fresh rebuild, so maybe things hadnt quite been tightened down . But its been good now for the last few months.

 

[Ranger]

When I replaced the cam on my '69 Road Runner (383) I noticed it had RTV sealant on the Mopar Performance valve covers. I did not use it in the reassembly and the right side leaked pretty bad. Tightened it down and it still leaked. Tightened it again to no avail. The 3rd attempt cracked the flange. I finally used a light coat of sealant on both sides of the rubberized Felcro gaskets and it hasn't leaked since.

 

[Russ69Runner]

That is what I thought. The RTV is a good product for certain thing's. I prefer to use it once in a while and not on every thing.