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Leaking rocker/bable cover gasket BT7

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fishyboy

Jedi Hopeful
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Hi all,
Six months ago I replaced the OE rocker/valve cover with one off the chrome type. I used a new cork gasket, which was fixed to the cover using some gasket sealant. I did not use any gasket sealant between the cork gasket and the head.

Today I noticed oil leaking from the rear, right-hand side between the cover and the head. Any ideas on how to get a oil tight seal between the gasket and the head?
Thanks
Phil
 
Use a silicone valve cover gasket instead .
 
Use a silicone valve cover gasket instead-----:iagree:
 
Redundant I know, I have used the silicone gasket from gasket innovations with the red silicone and no leaks for three years, even after removing to adjust valves and inspect rocker shaft. They offer two gaskets for the healey; one is for the stock valve cover and the other is made different to work with the aluminum valve covers on the market.
Moss also offers these gaskets. The only way to go in my opinion !!

John
 
fishyboy said:
Hi all,
Six months ago I replaced the OE rocker/valve cover with one off the chrome type. I used a new cork gasket, which was fixed to the cover using some gasket sealant. I did not use any gasket sealant between the cork gasket and the head.

Today I noticed oil leaking from the rear, right-hand side between the cover and the head. Any ideas on how to get a oil tight seal between the gasket and the head?
Thanks
Phil
Click to expand...

The stock gasket can be made to work: glue it to the valve cover with silicone. While the silicone is still wet, position the valve cover on a flat surface such as a plate glass tabletop. Weight it with a few books. Leave that way overnight. When mounting to car, apply light coat of hylomar between gasket and cylinder head.
 
I made a rookie mistake of assuming whoever worked on the car previously knew what they were doing. The first time I removed the valve cover, it had RTV (silicone) on both sides of the cork gasket. So I stupidly followed their lead and used oil-resistant sealant on both sides of the cork gasket. It was a disaster to remove. I destroyed my virtually new gasket and had a heck of a time removing the cork bits from the head and cover. For any newbies out there, don't follow my lead.

Now I do something similar to what Steve just described. Except, I haven't seen hylomar in stores and use something locally available for me. It is called Permatex Permashield. It is a non-hardening oil and gas resistant sealant. I have used it now on my valve cover gasket and sealing the gas level sender and am pleased with its performance. Off topic, but it is nice to be able to fill the tank and not smell gasoline throughout the car. Here is the link to this product:
https://www.permatex.com/products-2...sistant-gasket-dressing-flange-sealant-detail
 
Hi all
Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a silicone gasket is the way forward. Anyone know here I can buy one from in the UK. Dont seem to be stocked by AHspares or AheadforHealey.
Phil
 
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