Valve cover gaskets

[cudabob496]

What is the recommended gasket.

Anyone skip the gasket and use the Permatex Black Form-a-Gasket RTV goop?

[moparmaniac59]

I've always been partial to the old Fel-Pro cork valve cover gaskets. I'll run a light bead of Permatex RTV to the top side that makes contact with the valve cover. That way it keeps them in place and if I have to take the valve covers back off, it's already in place/attached to the valve cover. My 2nd choice would be the rubber coated ones, but I've found them to be too hard and often don't seal well but some folks swear by them! 

                                                                             Matt B.

[cudabob496]

ya, I've used the cork rubber too, but might try the RTV on the valve cover side!

[KillerBee]

Ive had good luck with the Moroso ones.

They are steel core with rubber coating.

No sealant needed.

I've tried the cork and solid rubber ones in the past with and without sealant and always had leaks.

I've used the Moroso ones for two summers now on my old school Direct Connection chrome valve covers on my 440 Sixpack with no leaks and have had the valve covers on and off a few times for valve adjustments.



http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-93055/overview/make/chrysler

[HP_Cuda]

 

Moroso ones are a bit more expensive but can handle removing the covers on and off again many many times.

Truly a great long lasting gasket.

[KillerBee]

Moroso ones are a bit more expensive but can handle removing the covers on and off again many many times.

Truly a great long lasting gasket.

 

I thought the moroso ones were pricey so I originally bought some cheap generic steel/rubber coated gaskets off E-bay.

They were VERY narrow and VERY thin.

After test fitting them on the valve covers I realized they were leaks waiting to happen, they never made it on the car.

I still have them sitting around in my garage somewhere.

After looking at the Moroso ones in person I realized they were much wider and thicker, definitely a better product.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

My suggestion is don't cheap out and not use a gasket.   

[cudabob496]

Ive had good luck with the Moroso ones.

They are steel core with rubber coating.

No sealant needed.

I've tried the cork and solid rubber ones in the past with and without sealant and always had leaks.

I've used the Moroso ones for two summers now on my old school Direct Connection chrome valve covers on my 440 Sixpack with no leaks and have had the valve covers on and off a few times for valve adjustments.



http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-93055/overview/make/chrysler

beautiful engine, cool air filters!

[Mopar Mitch]

You should consider the Fel-Pro VS50145R valve cover gasket set.  These are constructed of a rubber-coated high-temperature fiber and are designed specifically for the 6-bolt BB heads, in particular for extreme heat applications such as trucks and emergency vehicles.  The same gaskets are packaged in the Fel-Pro Performance Set #1612. 

Application of RTV silicone is NEVER recommended by any gasket mfgr onto the gasket, excpet where there would be corner intersecting joints.

If the cast iron raised exhaust mflds are still used, the RTV will melt due to the close proximity of the heat/m,fld to the cover.  Again, that is why these hi-temp rubber-fiber gaskets were specifically introduced.

No gasket is better than its installation.  the #1 cause for valve cover gasket oil leakage is due to out-of-flatness of the cover's flange surface, as well as over-tightening of the cover's hold-down screws.

Trust me.

[burdar]

There is a guy over on Moparts who is advertising his valve cover gaskets.  He designed them to withstand the heat of the factory BB manifolds.  They are supposed to be very good.  I think he makes SB ones too.

[Mopar Mitch]

Fel-Pro also makes the hi-temp gaskets for the small block LA... set #VS-50184R... same for trucks, RVs and emergency vehicles that experience extreme heat.  Due to the nature of the BB engines with their etxreme closenes of the factory hi-rise exhaust manifolds, the BB needs such gaskets more so than the small block.

I've never experienced any leakage with these gaskets (SB, or in particular BB)... again, designed for extreme heat.  Flatness of the flanges (valve cover flanges and head castings), as well as proper torque, is all that's needed.  Chemicals are not needed except to attached the gasket to the cover; RTV will typically melt.

[KillerBee]

beautiful engine, cool air filters!

Thanks.

I have a stock Six Pack air cleaner setup but these individual ones make tuning and adjusting the carbs much easier plus it's nice to be able to show people what a Six Pack setup actually looks like instead of hiding it under a big air cleaner.

[moparmaniac59]

I agree with Mopar Mitch with regards to 'out-of flatness' which is easy to do with factory sheet metal valve covers. I would however have to disagree with RTV melting (unless it's cheap crap). I use Permatex 81160 high temp RTV which will withstand continuous heat up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. I work in the shipbuilding industry and high temp RTV is used on sealing surfaces of steam turbines & I can tell you they get much hotter than the top surface of a cylinder head. I have always (and still do) use a light bead of RTV to one side which contacts the valve cover to keep the gasket in place. I also use cork and have never had a leak problem when they are properly torqued and installed. If you heads are reaching near 600 degrees you have some much more SERIOUS issues other than leaky valve covers. I like the gaskets that have a metal ring where the bolt goes thru which acts as a positive stop preventing you from deforming the valve covers. I'm not sure if the Moroso ones have this feature or not? 

[tman]

Don't think its the cylinder head that gets so hot.  Its more that the exhaust manifold on big blocks is so dang close to the head.  Specifically the right manifold.  My leaks come from the right valve cover.  More so with stock manifolds.  At least that is my experience.  My left valve cover does not leak.  High heat valve cover gaskets a must. 

[jhaag]

don't use rtv sealant. use gasket shellac to help hold the gasket to the valve cover if you remove it once in a while. otherwise you don't need anything on it. Fel Pro gasket with the steel insert are the best. (probably are making the for everyone else). they also have steel inserts in the bolt holes so you don't overtighten.