Replacing valve cover gaskets

dallas6778 · 11-16-2007, 04:39 PM

so my '69 cutlass (350) has leaking valve cover gaskets. the engine still runs well but im tired of the drips and smoke. my mechanic is askin more money than im willing to spend. ive never had to do this before and was wondering what id need to know to do the job myself. thanks for any advice yall can give

Redog · 11-16-2007, 05:21 PM

Cork gaskets, and a lot of silcone (get the black stuff)

My gaskets came in the kit from Mondellotwister.com. I like the gaskets a lot and highly recommend them.

Pull off the valve covers and undo any brackets that straddle the valve covers (back alt bracket) and remove the vavle cover by pulling straight up after undoing the bolts of course.

I forget what size the bolts are, but you can get to them pretty easy

O yeah, be sure to get all of the old gasket off first. If you don't it will leak again.

I only did the job once, and it took me 1 hour

Olds64 · 11-17-2007, 07:42 PM

I prefer the rubber gaskets over cork, and make sure you don't overuse RTV. Also, you need to check the valve covers and make sure they aren't dimpled around the bolt holes. They sometimes get dimples in them because people over tighten them. If they are dimpled you can fit a socket around the bolt holes and flatten them out on a bench vise in your garage with a hammer. I usually adhere the gaskets to the valve cover with RTV and let it sit for a good long while before I put the valve covers back on the heads. This allows the RTV to act as a glue so the gasket doesn't fall of the valve cover when you put it in place.

Oldsguy · 11-18-2007, 01:36 PM

I taught him that....

dallas6778 · 11-18-2007, 04:51 PM

sounds good... and do i NEED a torque wrench or... if so what are the specs?

J-(Chicago) · 11-18-2007, 05:11 PM

A torque wrench is always a good thing to use. It all depends on how much you trust yourself though.
A good local auto parts store will let you borrow one for a few hours for free with a deposit or a license.

I believe the spec is 70 Inch LBs

I don't know if they will have the seal breaker tool though.

Oldsguy · 11-20-2007, 07:10 AM

Or you could use a 3/8 inch ratchet drive and just use your wrist to tighten them down, it doesn't take much as all you are doing is sealing down the gasket, whether cork, rubber or silicone sealant.

kevinkpk · 11-20-2007, 10:04 AM

might be just tightening them down will do.

11-16-2007, 04:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
dallas6778 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 19	Replacing valve cover gaskets so my '69 cutlass (350) has leaking valve cover gaskets. the engine still runs well but im tired of the drips and smoke. my mechanic is askin more money than im willing to spend. ive never had to do this before and was wondering what id need to know to do the job myself. thanks for any advice yall can give

11-18-2007, 01:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 3,167	I taught him that.... __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door

11-18-2007, 05:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
J-(Chicago) Seasoned beater pilot. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,650	A torque wrench is always a good thing to use. It all depends on how much you trust yourself though. A good local auto parts store will let you borrow one for a few hours for free with a deposit or a license. I believe the spec is 70 Inch LBs I don't know if they will have the seal breaker tool though. __________________ I'd rather have a numbers matching poker hand.

11-20-2007, 07:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 3,167	Or you could use a 3/8 inch ratchet drive and just use your wrist to tighten them down, it doesn't take much as all you are doing is sealing down the gasket, whether cork, rubber or silicone sealant. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door

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11-16-2007, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Redog Alero Chapter Secretary Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 831	Cork gaskets, and a lot of silcone (get the black stuff) My gaskets came in the kit from Mondellotwister.com. I like the gaskets a lot and highly recommend them. Pull off the valve covers and undo any brackets that straddle the valve covers (back alt bracket) and remove the vavle cover by pulling straight up after undoing the bolts of course. I forget what size the bolts are, but you can get to them pretty easy O yeah, be sure to get all of the old gasket off first. If you don't it will leak again. I only did the job once, and it took me 1 hour

11-17-2007, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 1,811	I prefer the rubber gaskets over cork, and make sure you don't overuse RTV. Also, you need to check the valve covers and make sure they aren't dimpled around the bolt holes. They sometimes get dimples in them because people over tighten them. If they are dimpled you can fit a socket around the bolt holes and flatten them out on a bench vise in your garage with a hammer. I usually adhere the gaskets to the valve cover with RTV and let it sit for a good long while before I put the valve covers back on the heads. This allows the RTV to act as a glue so the gasket doesn't fall of the valve cover when you put it in place.

11-18-2007, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
dallas6778 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 19	sounds good... and do i NEED a torque wrench or... if so what are the specs?

11-20-2007, 10:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
kevinkpk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: west Posts: 212	might be just tightening them down will do.

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