valve cover gaskets

[TX '73]

Hey guys, what are your opinions on valve cover gaskets? I need to replace mine because of some minor leakage. 302 motor, thanks.

 

[S_bolt19]

I have always used cork gaskets for the valve covers. The rubber ones always leaked on me.

 

[Broncobill78]

Damn, what a question. While I do agree w/S bolt as far as saying the rubber gaskets tend to leak, I have to say that there isn't anything I hate *more* than stripping off old cork gaskets from mating surfaces. For ME at least I've found that a thin film of silicone not only helps the rubber gaskets to seal, but it also helps them to stay in place long enuf for someone (anyone, really) to come by & say what awesome gaskets they are and how freaking great they seal. THEN of course they can fail and I'll replace them with something we all use day-in & day-out. I think more often than not overtightening the valve-cover bolts is what causes them to leak. Regardless of whether it's cork or rubber if the bolts are overtightened it will leak. Try using a torque wrench sometime and actually tightening them to spec, you'll probably be amazed at just how *little* torque is specified, I know I was.

 

[7bronco1]

go to the dealership and order the late model metal/rubber gasket. So far they don't leak and they hold there shape making them easy to line up the holes and you cant overtighten them due to the steel reinforcing

 

[BLADE262US]

I agree with 7bronco1 those are very good gaskets all I will use anymore /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />