Valve covers wont stop leaking

[ntx78k5]

Ive used three different sets of gaskets, RTV silicone and the rubber gaskets with the metal core and they wont stop leaking.
its a 350V8 with stock valve covers, is there a real simple trick I am missing???

 

[RingMaster4x4]

are you using just bolts? or some of the fancy wingnut things? are the gasket fitting the gasket lip properly?

 

[BIG*RED]

are the covers straight? and how tight are you getting the bolts? a lot of people over tighten them

 

[RingMaster4x4]

also are your covers stamped steel? they are real bad about getting dimples where the blot hole is from over tighting them

 

[K30Blazer]

most likely overtightening like has been mentioned before.

 

[ntx78k5]

Using stock bolts, news hold downs and they are the original stamp steel. They look striaght with no dimples. Are they supposed to be tightened in a specific pattern? torged to certain ftlbs?

 

[sweetk30]

dry it all off and try some permatex tac-n-seal little white can. the stuff is red in color and smells like some good stuff if you know what i mean. aply to heads and v/c and install with just that and gasket.


this stuff is super stickky and grips stuff good.

 

[wildbilzrydn]

Make sure the oil is draining back properly from the rocker area. The gaskets in a chevy aren't designed to do anything other than contain the mist. Thats the problem with mine now.

 

[ntx78k5]

I actually have some of that stuff and it smells real good. will try that out.

 

[tRustyK5]

The best cure I found for leaking sbc covers was to replace them with cast aluminum covers. They're rigid enough and flat enough to provide even clamping force along the entire gasket, not just near the bolts.

I ended up buying some old Edelbrock cast covers at a swap meet...

Rene

 

[ryan22re]

or swap to center bolt heads.

ryan

 

[Brocky]

Ya that permatex tac-n-seal worked for me. Smells good like mentioned as well. My only question is. In the PCV there is a little ball isn't there. I replaced mine but there was no little ball . I have been driving it for months since and havn't had any problems, so where is the ball ? hehe

 

[stayaway]

leave them kinda loose always works lol

 

[89GMCSuburban]

If you have blowby like crazy, it could be pressurizing the case and blowing out the gaskets.