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Looking for cam cover gasket wisdom ....

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krswen

krswen

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I'm about to install the cam covers on my XJ6 S2 engine rebuild and I'm wondering what's everyone's experience with a leak-proof seal. Hylomar on both sides of the gasket? Just one side? Grease? No dressing? No gasket and some other sealant?

Ken
 
I always used grease, which did not leak for me. Hylomar would be my next step, spread thinly on each surface. Hard to say as you do not want material to be seen when bonnet is open. I have used Indian Head gasket sealer and used alcohol to wipe any overage that showed.
 
I used Hylomar on a Cometic gasket on my XK engine. It also cleans up with alcohol.

I also used Hylomar under the copper washers (do not know if yours has Cu washers):

CuWashers_zpsd9fbafb8.jpg
 
All, I found that over tightening causes more leaks than anything in the valve cover gaskets.

Wayne
 
I use Black RTV Gasketmaker with whatever other gasket you have, (cork, paper, etc) on my Healey. Just a thin smear on both sides of the gasket. Don't need much. Then tighten but just to a good snugness. Don't try to squeeze it out too much. After about 1/2 hour tighten it alittle more. That's it. This stuff is very strong yet stays compliant. I have had it on the side covers (cam followers) about 10 years and still intact with no leaks. I put it again on the valve cover gasket about a year ago after reinstalling the engine after body restoration, about 1200 miles since then, no leaks. When I restored my car during the last many years, I did not rebuild the engine since it only had about 18k miles on the previous rebuild. While engine was out on the stand waiting to be reinstalled, I steam cleaned it, painted it, etc. Never regasketed anything. The Black RTV has yet to fail. The only downside to Black RTV is that it is alittle hard to get off when you want to remove the valve cover and you probably will have to use a new gasket when replacing the valve cover. But it just takes alittle more time to scrap and I wipe the gasket surface with a shop towel dipped in Lacquer thinner. Dave. ( ps. didn't mean to butt in on you guys, just saw your post on the Front Page and it caught my interest. )
 
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