Ok, here's the situation. I have the Chrome Chevrolet Valve Covers that are stamped steel. They do *NOT* have a channell for a gasket to sit in.. one side kinda has a lip, but the inside of the covers have no lip, channel or anything to hold the gaskets in place. My heads are aftermarket aluminum edlebrock heads, which are very smooth surfaces on top. Im using Cork gaskets. My problem. : After some driving i eventually spring a leak, usually from the back or front, where the cork gaskets have slipped down into the head area and are no longer sealing properly. This never fails to happen, except once, when I siliconed the ever living **** out of them to both the head and the cover. I feel that I shouldnt have to do this. Ive tried different thickness of gaskets, etc and all to no avail. Short of getting new covers do you guys have any insight? thanks. -steve

I've heard that people use a big tube of silicon, say in a caulking gun, and lay a 3/16" bead down, set your valve covers on it, let it set up for 10 minutes or something, then tighten it down lightly.
Do you have to adjust your valvetrain often or something?

Are you using valve cover spreaders to distribute the load?

I would check to make sure the mounting surface is not distorted by the bolt holes also (fix with a ball peen hammer if it is).

so your saying to go totally without gaskets and just use straight silicone?


I dont usually take my covers off often, the deal is this time i had just re-adjusted valve lash as I was doing an intake manifold gasket replacement and didnt silicone the covers down this time. I guess i should have stuck with the silicone.

yes, I use the spreaders to distribute the load..

Dont know why they dont make dang valve covers with a groove for the gasket to sit in.. thats got to be the stupidest thing in the world to NOT do.
-steve

Here is an easy and awesome solution. Use the Fel-Pro PermaDry Plus perimeter bolt valve cover gaskets. They have a hard plastic frame with molded rubber sealing surfaces.. They work awesome, are reusable, and hold their form (which is exactly what you need. I'd also recommend the ARP valve cover stud kit, easier on your cylinder head threads, plus keeps the gasket perfectly aligned to make installation easier.

Oh, the PermaDry Plus gasket also comes with valve cover load spreaders, so if you don't have them, you'll get a set with the new gasket. You should be able to find that gasket at most parts stores (Advance Auto Parts in my area stocks it)... Look for part number VS12869T.

I would just go to the JY and grab some covers, or go pick up a set of half decent ones that will add some bling under the hood to go with the heads

anyone know the part # for those type gaskets for centerbolt heads?

Tanks for the help.. the advance near me doesnt. I had to order it itll be here tomorrow. I hope that it works out for me. if it doesnt, looks like im gonna have to save up $ and find some sort of valve cover that does have a channell.

-steve
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well the ones i got are chrome AC delcos i think that say chevrolet on them.. they have to be pre 86 style, as they are parimiter bolt not center bolt.

-steve

just wanted to say THANK you. The gaskets are killer so far. I cant wait to get the carb ironed out to see if they can hold up to the test of time!
thanks agian for the recommendation.

PN# is 1648 in Fel-Pro....