Okay, stupid question but thought I'd nail this project one time without fail. Maybe hexing myself here but wondered what you pros or shade tree experts are doing to get a one time seal with valve covers?

Just grabbed some cast M/T's off EPray and they look in good condition. I ordered some "D" shaped grommets and should be good to mount 'em. When looking at gaskets I discovered Google is not my friend. There are cork, neoprene and new magic materials for these 10 hole devils. There's a premium one with a metal layer sandwiched in between two seal layers. It was thirty bucks! Some use no sealant where others glob on silicone or other goo.

What do you guys use? Remember the goal - first time no leaky.

 

I used neoprene on my chrome covers without sealant. It can be difficult to prevent them from slipping out of place. I was very careful not to over tighten the bolts. The gaskets did leak a bit. I’ve never seen the cast covers but the chrome covers lack enough flat surface all around the bolt holes. It was through the bolt holes that mine initially leaked. Over a period of a couple weeks I went around and checked each bolt and re tightened any that would continue to move with a light turn of my wrist. Eventually all the leaking stopped.

 

i would skip the premade gasket and use gasket from a tube or can.

 

I use Neoprene. I clean the valve cover and degrease the lip, apply a thin layer of weather strip adhesive to both the valve cover and the gasket, let it skim over and glue the gasket to the valve cover. I can install and remove the valve covers many times before I need to replace the gaskets again.

 

What oldscutlass said. ^^^

 

i used the steel core ones with a thin skim of rtv on both sides and so far no leaks thank god. been battling this for a while and getting the driveway re-done this year so this is a load off my mind.

 

What ever gasket you decide on, neoprene cork or a combo, glue the gasket to the valve cover with spray gasket adhesive (spray one side of gasket on cardboard let it tack then apply to cover). Then apply a very thin film of clear RTV to the head side of the gasket once its stuck to the cover. Let the RTV "skin" then bolt to the head. This allows for easy maintenance the next time you remove it. As the gasket will come off with the cover verses sticking to the head...most of the time. This allows for several on/off removals without gasket replacement if ever needed. Also helps prevent gasket "creep" when torquing it down. RTV on both sides tends to induce creep.

 

I have always glued the gasket to the valve cover first and sometimes they would still leak. The last time, though, I used the thicker Fel Pro rubber gaskets (VS50259R that are 11/32" thick) and actually torqued the valve cover bolts instead of just guessing and for the first time ever they didn't leak.

 

Thanks all for the tips and tricks!

Going with; tack the gasket to the cover, neoprene material, mount 'em dry with proper tension.

Not a fan of torquing to spec as I follow a self-promoted skill level where I must "feel" the applied torque. (idiot). That layered gasket may have magic for some as they claim the steel center will seal warped surfaces or dimpled tins. The secret weapon is Permatex "The Right Stuff". This sealant is unreal for several applications but not recommended for things you may want to remove with ease. I had a leaky thermostat housing issue that this solved first time. Really, nothing else worked.

My wife called the new covers "engine jewelry". Ugh.

 

I was the same way for 20+ years until I bought an inch-pound torque wrench for setting differential gear preload. Since I had the torque wrench I decided to use it on the valve cover gaskets and it actually worked quite well.

 

I could never get the cork ones to seal. I just went with the reuseable ones. I paid around $20-$25 for a pair from summit and never looked back

 

Same here but i just only apply on the valve cover.

 

Weather strip adhesive is a contact adhesive that requires a thin layer to be applied to both items you want to fasten together. It just works better that way.