[skajm]

Hi All,
my covers leak (go figure), which is better rubber, cork, or form-a-gasket?

Thanks for your input.
Joe

 

[macario]

I prefer rubber, but cork works. Things to remember are to make sure the flanges on your covers are STRAIGHT in all four directions. Use some high tack gasket adhesive to hold the gasket to the cover and keep it from being pushed out of place when you torque the covers. Use the adhesive on only one side of the gaskets. Do not over torque. Last time I checked around here, the specs are about 10ft lbs of torque, or maybe 12 max.

Mac

 

[IntenseImages]

i prefer the neoprene/rubber gaskets myself.

just seem to have less troubles with them than the others

eric

 

[Uncle Jay Tupelo]

OK, how about the damn 400 that has the manifolds cooking the gaskets? Leaky rotten bastard.

 

[harvester]

i like cork
check where the bolts hold it down this area can get bent ....a hamer and a flat surface can fix this
be sure to use those valve cover washers also ........dont over tighten {important}

 

[TheRamChargerMan]

I prefer the mopar performance ones (felpro also makes them--like 11 bucks at autozone, part # VS50184R)). The are a composite material (looks like thin cardboard) that is sandwiched with thin layers of rubber. They work very well. You can even tear off a layer and re-use them. I have done that several times now.

I glue my valve cover gaskets to the valve cover with RTV, and use nothing between the gasket and the head. I put RTV on the valve cover, and then put the gasket on, and then, I set it down on a flat surface with about 5 lbs of weight on it to let the RTV cure. This way, the gasket comes off with the valve cover, and there is very little to clean up off the head where it can get in places you don't want it to. It seems to work very well for me. It's also very hard to over torque these style gaskets, unless you have no clue what 10-15 ft lbs is. If you do it this way, by gluing the gasket to the valve cover, it will solve the problem of the bent bolt holes in the valve cover also.

 

[77ramcharger]

I agree on the performance ones for big blocks. For my small block, mopar also makes a rubber one with a metal insert so it has built in metal spacers at each bolt hole so they cannot be overtightened. I cant seem to find the part number but they arent much more and i have been using them on the tin and aluminum valve covers without any sealant and no leaks. They are also reusable as they are rubber. Best part is if you do get your tin covers straight, you cant rebend them with overtightening.

 

[Trailduster_Rulz]

I my self prefer to use the tuff cork gaskets. they seem to hold up in almost any condition. the only down side for some people is the cost, around here there about 30 bucks for a set.