If you are replacing the valve cover gaskets is it a good idea to put silicone on both sides of the gasket?

phil

 

no

 

on perimiter style gaskets, you can put a TINY TINY amount on the 4 corners and a dab in the center on the valve cover..... but ONLY to hold the gasket to the cover for easier installation...

you are NOT trying to seal the gasket on with the silicone. just tack it in place.

if you put studs in instead of valve cover bolts, you wont even have to do that, just slip the gasket on, then the cover.


if you have centerbolt covers, use NOTHING..... the cover will hold the gasket on by itself.

 

Silly-cone Is horrible over used by most people. As long as your valve covers are flat, you shouldn't need any gasket goop. That goes for every gasket on your car. You don't need Silly-cone for any gasket. A little Gasket glue is good for holding the gasket in place, as mentioned before.

 

i know this is a bit old but just wondering when u take off the valve cover and start scrapeing off the old gasket.. with it all exposed do u need to put something over it to make sure no dirt gets in??? do u need to be really carfull doing this with the exposure???? u would think then when scrapeing off the old gasket some crap would get in for sure?? what the info on this please??? i know its easy just worryed about dirt and what not getting in there??

 

I have the perimiter-bolt valve covers. All I did last time ther were off is clean off the valve covers and the head, and put a very thin bead of silicone around the head. I have no leaking problems at all. I didn't use any gaskets.

 

COver teh rocker area with shop towels, paper towels, whatever. Make sure you cover the oil drainback holes at the ends. Scrape all you want, and vacuum up the crud with a shop vac.