Valve Covers

[Rumrunner]

I've found another leak from my "original "valve covers. Tired of trying to get these to seal. Sorry for the long link, interested in these fabricated covers but not quite sure they will fit with HP exhaust manifolds. Eyeing it, it looks like they might touch.
Your help is always appreciated.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1763078847...ntAZbMBOfuOHmCnc0uqOsMLQ==|tkp:Bk9SR7DI4r_YYw

 

[Russ69Runner]

What type of gasket are you using. May need to buy a better gasket. Where are they leaking from.

 

[Rumrunner]

Russ, Thanks for getting back to me.
It appears to be leaking behind the #8 cylinder just about the corner of the of the cover this time. It's not enough to notice the oil level drop but it still bug's me. I recently put it up on stands when I noticed it. I've had the covers off twice before and attempted to straiten the 56 year old valve covers. I'm using cork gaskets.
Any thoughts on the fabricated valve covers? Instead of the flange to secure on the stamped ones, the fabricated ones have no flange so they are wider.

 

[WWheeler]

You might try these:
https://realgaskets.com/product/valve-cover-gaskets-31/
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...pmAQgH7aB8f3M4WeHi05Cnuj2I5ELWqkaAjOdEALw_wcB

I have the moroso put have not installed them. The gasket is soft enough to conform to the irregular valve cover surface and the steel core prevents the soft gasket from extruding and holds in place.

 

[Rumrunner]

I looked and read over the two gaskets you sent attachments of and others. I decided on the Silicone w/fiberglass because the Moroso specs stated "Steel core gaskets may not fit valve covers with a gasket retaining lip." I have the original covers and believe they have the gasket retaining lip. Not positive I know what the gasket retaining lip is but I think I do. Also ordered some "spreaders" to distribute the pressure. I'll let you know.

 

[Outsider]

If the VC bolt holes are pulled down and recessed, and you put a straight edge like from a combination square, and find your covers need straightening, then carefully hammer the cover edge back to flat. If your VC rails are good you likely have an irregular, as cast, VC rail on the head. When I set up my heads for racing I always mill the head rail as I have found some heads with as much as 3/16" rail overall deviation, and that makes it hard to seal. That said, aftermarket VC hold downs that spread the clamping will help, (you can even use some made for Chevys if you do a little grinding on them), and like mentioned previously, the Moroso and the Mr. Gasket premium gaskets will help, but you may need longer hold down bolts or studs.

 

[Russ69Runner]

When putting my intake gasket on did not put sealer on my bolts. Had leaks from day one. This time I did put liquid Teflon pipe dope on them.

 

[Rumrunner]

You might try these:
https://realgaskets.com/product/valve-cover-gaskets-31/
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...pmAQgH7aB8f3M4WeHi05Cnuj2I5ELWqkaAjOdEALw_wcB

I have the moroso put have not installed them. The gasket is soft enough to conform to the irregular valve cover surface and the steel core prevents the soft gasket from extruding and holds in place.

I used the silicone ones. they were slightly over sized on the passenger side and it took three times to get them to line up.
I would not recommend these. The cork ones that were first on leaked very little. Before I got these to fit, oil all over the side of my engine, exhaust manifold and the first four feet of my exhaust pipe burning on all them. There went my engine paint job.
Should have gone with the moroso.

 

[Rumrunner]

The silicone gaskets ($54) did not fit correctly. I tried them three time and the leaks just got worse. I tried some rubber gaskets ($34) but they also did not fit right.
I've tried to reshape the original valve covers multiple times but after 46 years of over tightening and abuse I give up.
I did not think the fabricated valve covers would fit so I purchased a set of stamped ones.
$12 cork gasket with new covers fit first time and no leaks.
Ugh!

 

[Russ69Runner]

So glad you found a fix for the leak. Mine was also leaking at the back on passenger side. Hope with new gaskets. After replacing the head's this will not be an issue for me.

 

[Terry Hauck]

The silicone gaskets ($54) did not fit correctly. I tried them three time and the leaks just got worse. I tried some rubber gaskets ($34) but they also did not fit right.
I've tried to reshape the original valve covers multiple times but after 46 years of over tightening and abuse I give up.
I did not think the fabricated valve covers would fit so I purchased a set of stamped ones.
$12 cork gasket with new covers fit first time and no leaks.
Ugh!

View attachment 38478

View attachment 38479

I got the same valve covers. I found a pin-stripe guy who painted my MOPAR HEMI orange. I have leaks. I have a set of cork gaskets I will give a try. Sometimes, the old-school way is best. Now if I can find a 440 Super Commando pie pan.