Valve covers

H

hillbry

Member
Alright basic question but it is driving me nuts. Just going to simply replace my valve cover gaskets, got the cork ones, and everyone seems to have an opinion on the best method-here they are:

1. Use sealent on only the block side.
2. Use sealent on only the valve cover side.
3. Use sealent on both block and valve cover side.
4. Rub engine oil on both sides and let it naturally seal.

Just let me know what is the recomended method so I can just get this simple project out of the way. Thanks.
 
On mine,I just litely seal the v-cover side,let it sit awhile then install.that way if it ever has to come off,you won't have the mess on the head to clean up.Jeff
 
Depends. I recently ran the valves on an IH bg241. The cover had been over tightened so I straightened it with a smfh and installed it with a new cork gasket. Drove a few miles to town and had a large puddle of oil underneath when I parked. Got it home. The valve cover had spread in the middle section allowing the gasket to migrate inward leaving a gap through which oil ran out.
Pulled the cover and squeezed it inward with a carpenter's pipe clamp. Installing it this time, I used contact cement on the valve cover surface and the gasket surface effectively gluing the gasket to the cover. I put a smear of loctite 's 'gasket eliminator' on the head surface. No leak.

This type of valve cover has no bolt holes through the lip at any point, just three long bolts through the top of the cover.

Over tightening the fastenings is the largest cause of valve cover leaks. Tighten each fastener, either cap screw or bolt, gently around the perimeter until you get a uniform squeeze without complete compression. If you use some sealant on the gasket surfaces, watch for the sealant squeezing out as an indicator that the fastenings are tight enough.
 
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