Valve Cover Gaskets
#1
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
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Hi, Guys and Gals, ![Big Grin](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I want to put new valve cover (or rocker arm) gaskets on my 330.![Confused](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
I'm confused by all of the different Fel-Pro gaskets for this engine. They have cork, 2 kinds of rubber and other materials ranging in price from $10 to $39!
Any ideas? Not a huge decision, but I want to do it right!
Thanks for the discussion~~
--Don
![Big Grin](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I want to put new valve cover (or rocker arm) gaskets on my 330.
![Confused](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
I'm confused by all of the different Fel-Pro gaskets for this engine. They have cork, 2 kinds of rubber and other materials ranging in price from $10 to $39!
Any ideas? Not a huge decision, but I want to do it right!
Thanks for the discussion~~
--Don
![Cool](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
#3
I just did the valve cover gaskets on my 455 and used the thicker rubber ones from Fel-Pro. Once the valve cover is clean, lay the gasket on the flange and use a few bolts to keep it in place. This will help the gasket hold the correct shape. After a couple of days, spray a light coat of spray adhesive to bond the gasket to the cover and install.
#4
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
#5
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
I just did the valve cover gaskets on my 455 and used the thicker rubber ones from Fel-Pro. Once the valve cover is clean, lay the gasket on the flange and use a few bolts to keep it in place. This will help the gasket hold the correct shape. After a couple of days, spray a light coat of spray adhesive to bond the gasket to the cover and install.
Thanks for the directions!
![Smile](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'll do it! The guy I bought the car from gave me a bunch of parts that he had. Had a nice set of valve cover gaskets and I took them out of the box today. They are nice thick rubber, but I noticed that they only had 4 holes! They were Chebby 283 gaskets! I checked the new set of plugs, and they were OK......
![EEK!](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
Thanks, again,
--Don
Last edited by Ddbord; April 26th, 2010 at 07:55 PM. Reason: spelling
#7
do not use RTV to glue the gaskets to the covers. it will make the gaskets slick and can squirt out of place when tightened. there are several products made just for the purpose. for years I've used Permatex High Tack.
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...et_Sealant.htm
3M weatherstrip adhesive (aka super snot) works well also. providing the gaskets aren't over torqued the covers can be removed several times and still seal.
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...et_Sealant.htm
3M weatherstrip adhesive (aka super snot) works well also. providing the gaskets aren't over torqued the covers can be removed several times and still seal.
#8
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
I'm not planning to remove until it leaks again!
![Big Grin](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Maybe a cheaper gasket?
Thanks for the input!
![Cool](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
--Don
#9
Will NEVER Grow Up!
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
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do not use RTV to glue the gaskets to the covers. it will make the gaskets slick and can squirt out of place when tightened. there are several products made just for the purpose. for years I've used Permatex High Tack.
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...et_Sealant.htm
3M weatherstrip adhesive (aka super snot) works well also. providing the gaskets aren't over torqued the covers can be removed several times and still seal.
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...et_Sealant.htm
3M weatherstrip adhesive (aka super snot) works well also. providing the gaskets aren't over torqued the covers can be removed several times and still seal.
Thanks "Dirty" Harry......
![EEK!](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
I've used that Perma Tex.
I'm wanting a good seal.....
I have a detail shop near here that's going to clean the engine bay... never been done!
--Don
#10
I had an old can of elmer's spray glue laying around, so that's what I used. I think Permatex makes a spray adhesive that does the same job. The idea is just to hold it to the valve cover until you install it. But it really helped a lot just letting the gasket lie flat for a few days to get kinks out from packaging.
By the way, very nice looking Jetstar!
By the way, very nice looking Jetstar!
Last edited by oldsonharmont; April 27th, 2010 at 02:47 AM. Reason: added comment
#11
Hi, Guys and Gals, ![Big Grin](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I want to put new valve cover gasket set (or rocker arm) on my 330.![Confused](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
I'm confused by all of the different Fel-Pro gaskets for this engine. They have cork, 2 kinds of rubber and other materials ranging in price from $10 to $39!
Any ideas? Not a huge decision, but I want to do it right!
Thanks for the discussion~~
--Don![Cool](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
![Big Grin](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I want to put new valve cover gasket set (or rocker arm) on my 330.
![Confused](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
I'm confused by all of the different Fel-Pro gaskets for this engine. They have cork, 2 kinds of rubber and other materials ranging in price from $10 to $39!
Any ideas? Not a huge decision, but I want to do it right!
Thanks for the discussion~~
--Don
![Cool](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
Last edited by kurtdaniel; August 30th, 2010 at 06:48 PM.
#12
I've always used the standard cork gaskets available at the auto parts store. I clean the valve cover and then use RTV to "glue" the gaskets to the valve cover. I let it set overnight and then I install the valve covers. It works great!
#13
Sorry to dig up an old thread, thought it was better than starting a new one.
#14
If you have to use rubber install them dry and make certain the rails on the cover aren't dented from overtightening or they will leak.
I've always found core to be more forgiving on a not so straight cover.
#17
I just did the valve cover gaskets on my 455 and used the thicker rubber ones from Fel-Pro. Once the valve cover is clean, lay the gasket on the flange and use a few bolts to keep it in place. This will help the gasket hold the correct shape. After a couple of days, spray a light coat of spray adhesive to bond the gasket to the cover and install.
I'm guessing no, unless the covers are dented or whatnot. Just curious.
#18
![EEK!](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
Here they are in my underhood resto thread, page 9...
![](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/attachments/major-builds-projects/33902d1317090270-into-unknown-underhood-restoration-vc_gasket_3119.jpg)
#19
When you do the math and fraction conversions (
) and see the size difference, the thicker ones are not excessively thick. You are correct - the thicker ones will allow more compression in warped or dented areas of the covers. I used the thicker ones and they looked as thick as the regular cork ones. After installing them, I had no leaks and they are not visible. I recommend them.
![EEK!](https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
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