valve cover gaskets

[427]

Just trying to find out what works best on a high performance f.e. Thanks Brian.

[Dragon]

Don't use cork.

At Ford we sealed the gaskets to the covers with 3M Weatherstrip adhesive. We sealed the gaskets to the heads with RTV Silicone sealer. The 3M is a bitch to remove and if we had to go back in they came apart on the block side. The Silicone will bond to silicone. So it made for faster repairs.

Don't 3M both sides or you will need a Jack Hammer to get the covers off.

[convincor]

I'd say don't use rubber. Especial for stamped covers. I think there to hard.
I use cork from DSC. Glued to the cover with "TheRightStuff" then smear the head side with a very thin layer of grease. Don't over tighen.
I've had my covers off 5-6 times over the past two years and still using the same gasket with no leaks.
http://www.dscmotorsport.com/asp/Produc ... PartID=953
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta ... yCode=2132

[Dragon]

Ford doesn't use cork for a reason they weep oil over time.

Why did you have your covers off that much. I never take mine off except on racers with adjustable rockers and needing repairs. On the street I open them up when I change the cam and intake and then they stay closed forever.

[convincor]

Fe's were never designed for rubber.
Just my opinion, use what you like.

[Dragon]

FEs came from the Factory with Rubber in 1975 and 76 when I worked for my first dealer.

[sideoilerfe]

I've had better luck with cork than with rubber.

[BobbyFord]

Don't use cork.

At Ford we sealed the gaskets to the covers with 3M Weatherstrip adhesive. We sealed the gaskets to the heads with RTV Silicone sealer. The 3M is a bitch to remove and if we had to go back in they came apart on the block side. The Silicone will bond to silicone. So it made for faster repairs.

Don't 3M both sides or you will need a Jack Hammer to get the covers off.

When I worked for Ford and something came in that had been assembled with 3M, we referred to it as "yellow death"
Back then, we didn't have the Roloc discs that easily remove yellow death.

[Dragon]

LOL never heard that one but I still keep a tube.

[reflectionpoint]

I used rubber when I replaced mine.. didn't really think about it, I've just always used rubber. Coat it with a thin layer of grease and go. I also used the small 'tabs' to help the stamped cover from bending (due to my overzealous tightening) and leaking.. old chevy trick I guess, those things are horrible to seal valve covers on.. anyways no leaks with rubber and 'tabs'.. should be able to see a couple of them in my pics on my gallery.. also I use a PCV/breather setup, if that matters.

-~Eric

[Dragon]

I have seen cork distort more than rubber hundreds of times.

[michael69]

Why do you smear grease on them? Does that just help save gasket when removing cover again?

[Dragon]

As I said earlier use 3m Weather Strip Adhesive on the cover side and for racing grease the head side for easy removal. But street where you rarely remove is Silicone the head side.

[mnagatani]

As we are talking about valve cover gaskets, Id like to know what others are using for the following:

Water pump to block gaskets
thermostat to block
fuel pump to block gasket
oil filter mount to block gasket


I'm getting new all for these and I hear different takes on the best way to assemble them back.

Thanks all

Mike

[fordman]

those are all usually paper gaskets.