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leaky valve covers.

rjfguitar

rjfguitar

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My '81 454 consistently has issues with oil leaking around the valve cover gaskets. I changed the gaskets once, and that helped for a while, but now they are wanting to leak again.

Any solutions? I was thinking about just getting some aftermarket valve covers. Any you'd recommend that should seal better than stock covers?
 
any alum.... the tin rails are waffled on the steelies I'd bet... usually wont "see" it, but I'd bet the farm thats the issue....
 
There are some clamps that you can get to help hold down the valve covers. It is a GM part also some aftermarket make them.
 
wazzabie said:
There are some clamps that you can get to help hold down the valve covers. It is a GM part also some aftermarket make them.
Click to expand...
Wait, are you talking about the little tiny pieces of flat bar that is about 1" long? If so I have those already.:doah:
 
you can also get ones that are about 3" long that have a little turn down at each end to put pressure on a larger rail surface...

even with those, you'd really wanna fix the rails first... what happens is they get lower at the holes from tightening them down too much, or too often at some point... you can usually fix em with a hammer and dolley, or some heavy flat stock and a hammer..

but screw that, just get some sweet AL ones and never worry about em again...
 
I thought some time ago, I saw some re-enforcement braces that went all the way around the valve cover, it looked like a cork gasket from a distance but it wasnt, it was steel and went on the outside of the valve cover, it was basically a stiffener. (spelling)

I just checked Google, couldnt find anything.

Id say, a new set of quality covers.

GL,
Andrew
 
DieselWarrior said:
I thought some time ago, I saw some re-enforcement braces that went all the way around the valve cover, it looked like a cork gasket from a distance but it wasnt, it was steel and went on the outside of the valve cover, it was basically a stiffener. (spelling)

I just checked Google, couldnt find anything.

Id say, a new set of quality covers.

GL,
Andrew
Click to expand...

I think these are what your talkin about.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Proform/Proform-Valve-Cover-Hold-Downs/746299/10002/-1
 
The choice of gaskets is a factor as well. You can keep buying the cheap ones (Because they are cheap) or at least make sure the ones you use are Felpro cork. But even those still leak in the corners sometimes. I bought these reusable ones from the local speed shop they weren't cheap, I think about $50 and those ain't leaked a drop since.
 
sponsoredbydad said:
The choice of gaskets is a factor as well
Click to expand...

Friggn Bingo! :woot:

I had to... :-)

My vote goes to Felpro blue rubber type.. bad ass gaskets!

fel-pro-v-gasket.jpg



http://www.kaedings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=441

You get the idea... Check your local Advance, Autozone, Oriley, Etc.
 
I have the fancy gaskets with steel in the center and rubber on both sides. I siliconed them top and bottom and this worked for more than a year. Now my ChevrOLET is doing it again. I think that life with stamped steel covers means you have to straighten and reseal them every couple of years.
 
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