I think it's harder to seal old iron heads since the flanges have rusted and they are uneven. I use cork but I RTV the gasket to the valve cover, not the head. (I use the form a gasket in the cheese whiz container - it's expensive but it works) I have aluminum heads though, so the flange is straight. I've taken my valve covers off a few times and I just bolt them back on with the same old cork gaskets. If they're leaking it's not enough for me to notice. I also agree with John, use the spreader bars. I use stamped steel covers. 4 valve cover bolts is too few... at least on the perimeter, center bolt covers are better. I would recommend a serious gasket like a Fel Pro blue, but I'm not sure they're worth the cost. Check out these cool valve cover bolts I will be selling (see attached). One of those Why-Didn't-I-Think-Of-That products... On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 8:56 AM, <STILLFRANKSFAULT@xxxxxxx> wrote: > I don't like using the cork gasket, after scraping pieces off the head > for what seamed to be forever, I'll never use them again. > Even if a gasket set says no sealant, put plenty of RTV on both sides. > Like John said. > > -Smoky Mt Frank- > > > In a message dated 3/29/2010 7:34:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > johncgg@xxxxxxxxx writes: > > I am in love with the center bolt valve covers on the El Camino. They never > leak. The P/O put an older style 4 bolt 350 in the Monte, and they seep all > the time. (Just like the old ones on the Elky did). If the factory ones are > straight, then use them, just put RTV on them on both sides of the gasket, > but clean the heck out of the surfaces first. That is the only way I know > how. If they aren't stright, then put them on something straight, and hammer > them in to submission, then get some of those heavy metal strips that spread > out the pressure. That worked for me as well as anything, but the perimeter > bolt valve covers always leaked on me. > > Good luck with the project! Anything will be better, right? > > JC > 133d0d2310 > --- > John Christensen > 1984 El Camino "Elkenstein" 350 TBI > NECOA #042 http://www.myelcamino.net > Saint Charles, IL > 133d0d2310 > > > > > On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 12:39 AM, Dann Keller <kwhale22@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote: > >> Hey, all; >> >> Any advise re the type or brand of valve cover gaskets to get? Mine are >> leaking a little more than I want to put up with. >> 1983, 305 SB; not a performance rig by any means. >> Dan >> >> ------------------------------ >> Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up >> now.<http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850553/direct/01/> >> > >
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