OK so we are working on a 92 L05 TBI with centerbolt valve covers.

I rebuilt the heads and bought a set of aluminum valve covers.
Bought new gasket from Felpro for renewal ...

Problem, they look exactly like the old one but on the longer lenght they are too small around 1"

I ordered a new set and made a mistake with corvette model (thinner) - stupid.

Then ordered another set from felpro, different Ref. VS50088R
It is exactly same size and shape as the very first one I ordered (but not same color ...) this ref is given for my engine on several sites.

Now I think this is really for my engine but how can I install the gasket in tension ?? I t seems not easy at all cause it does not stay in place even when the cover is upside down ... ?
Do you kind of glue them on the valve cover with RTV before installing on engine ??

A bit puzzled

 

Not following. Got a picture?

 

the old gaskets should be stretched from a long period of time, the new gaskets will be a little shorter, but they will stretch and fit inside your valve covers. put them inside the valve cover then bolt the cover on. the felpro gaskets i just put on are blue, the ones that were on my car were orange, i dont think the color matters.

 

the Felpro gaskets your using are made to work with the stock valve covers which captures the gasket.
im guessing the covers you have don't capture the gaskets, so you'll probably need to go with a different gasket material like cork, of which i am not a fan of cork gaskets, or find a pair of aftermarket aluminum covers that will properly capture the gaskets.

gluing the gaskets you have to covers that do not capture them won't work, at least not for very long.

 

Rubber gaskets?

Soak them in Trans-X. That stuff is the only 'Miracle-in-a-can' that I've ever known of.

It swells rubber. ALOT. Integrates into the molecular structure of the rubber. Saved me $1k on a Ford automatic tranny, by swelling one of the valve body seals. And a FORD tranny tech let on with that secret!!!

 

Could be that,
OEM stamped steel covers probably catch the seal better and I did not notice because I did not want to put the new seal on the old dirty cover ...

So I have to make a 4th order in cork now or try to install the rubber gaskets ... won't be easy but I can try ...

Or I use the old gaskets ? they are not damaged apparently (only streched to fit)

 

Since you're in France, shipping's a killer!

Maybe reverse, or flip the gaskets, and put a thin film of metallic or copper grease on them...

 

I am surprised no one has given the easy way for this problem . most cast alum. covers do not have the inner lip to hold seal in place . solution: clean seal & valve cover . apply silicone seal to each end of valve cover or a light coat all around . install seal & hold in place with common clothes pins . let set in sun a couple of hours or over nite . has worked for me many , many times . good luck .