Ok, my valve covers are leaking, again. Mainly the one on the passenger side, which im sure has alot to do with the ever growing list to starboard that my engine is developing. Damn Jell-o stock motor mounts... Anyway, which ones can go without leaking for more then a few months? Ive gone through two sets of cork ones and the last set of felpro rubber impregnated ones didnt last to long, either. They always just seem to crush down, harden up and gush oil down the side of the motor. I torque the bolts to the correct torque when i install them, and again when they start leaking, and again... I suppose i should probably, at the very least, get a girdle that goes all the way around the periphery of the valve covers as well when i get a new set of gaskets.

 

Do you have the stock crappy valve covers? If so they always leak unless you add some type of reinforcing to keep even pressure all the way around the cover. Or you can get some thick heavy duty aluminum covers. As far as gaskets go you might try ROL gaskets, they are very good gaskets.

 

I forgot to mention earlier but I've had luck using just silicone sealant before too, it has to be done right but it can work good.

 

Hmmm... any idea what the ROL gaskets are made of?

 

The valve cover mounting surface could be bent up a little. Sometimes this happens to thin stock valve covers. Take it off and get a mallet or something to reshape it. Sometime this works or you could just go up to Autozone and get a new pair for pretty cheap.

 

I just use a bead of silicone, and I havent had a problem yet.