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TR6 TR6 valve cover leaking

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I

ichthos

Darth Vader
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I know this is probably an easy job for most of you, but I can not get the vave cover to seal correctly. I stripped and painted the valve cover (outside only). I cleaned the inside. I put a sealant (I don't remember what brand) on the inside of the gasket, placed the cork gasket into place, placed the valve cover on a flat surface, put on enough weight to hold it in place, and then let it set overnight. The next day I made sure the surface was clean on the head and tightened it down. I went for a couple hundred miles before I noticed it was leaking. I don't think I can tighten it down further without bending the valve cover. Does anyone have any good advice on how to do this?

Thanks.
Kevin
 
Kevin
I use gasket sealer both between the gasket and valve cover and the gasket motor (very sparingly). I place the valve cover (and gasket) in place and tighten lightly until set, then re tighten. I have never had a leak since refitting the cover in this way.
Regards
Craig
 
This is my method to insure that the gasket doesn't slip and I use Indian Head Red Shellac on both sides.

Naturally the cover side gets it first and after it sets at least overnight, the bottom gets a light coat before installing. I allow that to almost dry to the touch, whereby it's pretty tacky, but not dried completely.

Good luck!
 
You have to be careful not to over torque when tightening the nuts. The stock valve cover metal is VERY soft and distorts easily. Over tighening can cause the base to distort, making it virtually impossible to fit properly.
 
Few things I don't see :

1) You need to be sure the cover sealing surface is flat to begin with. They distort when overtightened, and once it's distorted it will never seal.

2) IMO, some sort of sealer between the gasket & head is necessary. I like Hylomar.

3) Make sure the nuts are not binding on the studs. Shouldn't happen, but I have seen DPOs use the wrong studs.

4) If all else fails, get one of Justin Wagner's gaskets.
https://www.jmwagnersales.com/T6SiliconeGasket.htm
 
Make sure that you carefully check 1, 2, & 3 of Randall's suggestions first.

#4 is an expensive gasket that may not work if the first or third items are part of the problem.

The cover should be relatively level on the top surface as well as the bottom where it must mate with the head surface in a flat metal to metal contact all around.

Make sure that the three stud holes coming through the top of the cover are not crushed down lower that the rest of the cover, creating a dip in each stud location.
 
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