I bought a set of Mr. Gasket #721 1/4" thick cork valve cover gaskets for my Moroso chrome valves covers today since my 20 old gaskets are now leaking oil real bad on my L82 350 SB. My ex gf's dad adjusted the valves on the passenger side of the block for me several years ago and when he put the valve cover back on he used a paper gasket and RTV instead of the cork ones I had on there originally and now that paper gasket he put on there is leaking oil really bad right onto my exhaust header, which smokes like the devil when the engine is running. Was wondering if I should install these new thick cork gaskets on the engine dry or should I use Permatex Hi-Tack on them? I think we used this Permatex Hi-Tack stuff on the original cork gaskets for these chrome valve covers 20 years ago when we did the engine buildup back in '83, but then again the original cork gaskets we used back then were much thinner than the ones I bought today. I am planning on fastening the valve covers using the existing studs I have instead of bolts, which I think should still work fine. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance. http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

Jim
'80 Berlinetta

I'm getting in the habit of buying a new set of neoprene(rubber) gaskets at the start of every season, contact cementing them to the valve covers & not worrying about them for the rest of the year.

I usually have the covers off 3-4 times a year( solid cam) & they never leak.

i usually take the covers and use black or blue "gasket maker" and make a thick bead on the on valvecover and glue the cork gasket to it.. so then if i have to take the valve covers off the engine.. the gasket comes with the valve cover and doesnt stick to the engine..so i dont have to replace the gaskets

Its really really hard to get the cork gaskets to line up and seal right with the valve covers without using glue, so to answer your guestion, I would say glue of some sort is a must. Im like gregh, I use the neoprene with metal core gaskets, they last longer than cork are reusuable and dont get stuck to the valve cover like cork does when it gets old.

[This message has been edited by Joekool (edited April 08, 2005).]

I have been using the rubber/metal gaskets from Summit since they came out. They work great, and reuse nicely.

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I have solids and have found it the easiest to use those 3 layer cork gaskets(outer layers are cork with a center layer of metal). Instead of bolts to mount the valve covers down, I use studs. With this setup I can re-use the gaskets over and over, and they tighten down easy with no leaks. Instead of nuts (on the studs) I use those tall spinners which makes keeping them tight even easier and I think they look pretty cool too. Just don't over tighten. IMHO, I would never use anything other than a gasket of some sort because eventually it will need to be cleaned off and that can be a major pita.

[This message has been edited by Ztoy (edited April 08, 2005).]

Well, I think I'm going to go ahead and use the Permatex "Hi Tack" to glue the cork gaskets into the valve covers. It worked great when I used this stuff before. Also discovered I'm missing a couple valve cover hold down tabs too. Probably no wonder why that valve cover started leaking oil really bad. Ex gf's dad must have forgot to put them back on after he adjusted the valve lash several years ago. Oh well... Will have to get some new replacement hold down tabs tomorrow. Thanks for all the replys guys. http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

Jim
'80 Berlinetta

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Joekool:
Its really really hard to get the cork gaskets to line up and seal right with the valve covers without using glue</font>

i must have just got lucky then... i used cork gaskets without any glue and never had a problem yet.