Valve Cover Gasket - Don't do this!

[kodpkd]

I restored the valve cover and wanted to make sure I didn't have any leaks after installing it. I used silicone sealant on both sides of the gasket. I didn't have any leaks,,,, duh. Now I want to check the valve lash and I can't get the cover off,,,,, STUPID!,,,,DUH! Any ideas on how to get it off? I am going to try getting the engine up to operating temp and use a razor blade to cut between the cover and head.
I am getting a new cork gasket. When I install the new one do I install it dry or maybe use sealant on just one side of the gasket?

 

[Bob_Spidell]

What I've done for years with satisfactory results is to glue a cork seal to the valve cover--usually with 3M upholstery adhesive, but a silicone labeled 'adhesive' should work (sounds like you have some )--then, run a small bead of blue silicone RTF along the side facing the head. Don't overdo the blue silicone; chunks can break off and get in the oil galleys. The blue stuff can be peeled off and usually, the gasket can be reused a couple times. Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket is my goto on paper gaskets, but I think it might be too sticky for this application (and you probably can't reuse the gasket). If you need to renew a cork gasket you can do it on the bench with a knife and 3M Adhesive Remover (unfortunately, not available in California any more).

The head on my BJ8 wasn't machined properly, there's a low spot on the cover surface, and this fixed a leak I had there.

 

[mezy]

Having cut my teeth during my aprenticeship on A series and B series engines, the recomended way to fit a rocker cover gasket
was to use contact adhesive on the cover and one side of the cork gasket, stick them together,
Then a smear of grease on the gasket to the head,
Service intervals in those days were 3000, 6000, 9000 and 12000 miles,
Doing it this way the cover could be easily removed and refited multiple times.
a better option these days would be to glue the gasket to the cover and use blue hylomar to seal it to the head
as the hylomar does not set solid, the cover can be easily removed.

 

[PAUL161]

Get a silicone gasket from Tom Lang or other suppliers. I have one on my TF with no sealants and it has never leaked! If you feel better using a sealant, use it on one side only never on both sides. My side cover has one of Toms silicone gaskets with no sealants and doesn't leak either. Just make sure the sealing surface is clean, straight and no pits. PJ

 

[kodpkd]

I got the cover off. I did use a utility knife to cut under the gasket. The valve lash was still good at .012. Now I have to wait for a new gasket, ugh.

 

[BobHaskell]

Get a silicone gasket from Tom Lang or other suppliers. I have one on my TF with no sealants and it has never leaked! If you feel better using a sealant, use it on one side only never on both sides. My side cover has one of Toms silicone gaskets with no sealants and doesn't leak either. Just make sure the sealing surface is clean, straight and no pits. PJ

Tom Lang - this business Gasket Innovations?

 

[Healey Nut]

Get the silicone gaskets for both the valve cover and side covers , leak problems solved , only glue them to the covers with appropriate sealant to hold them in place .

 

[LarryK]

I use the cork gaskets, glued to rocker and use bearing grease between gasket and head. Makes cover removeable to check, doesn't leak if checked occasionally.

 

[kodpkd]

That's what I'm going to do.

 

[John Turney]

I've used both cork and silicone gaskets. In both cases, only glue to the rocker cover. The silicone has sealed better than the cork.

 

[kodpkd]

I use the cork gaskets, glued to rocker and use bearing grease between gasket and head. Makes cover removeable to check, doesn't leak if checked occasionally.

You say it doesn't leak if checked occasionally. Are you saying you have to tighten it occasionally or remove it and lube it again?

 

[Healey Nut]

You say it doesn't leak if checked occasionally. Are you saying you have to tighten it occasionally or remove it and lube it again?

If you use a silicone one it doesn’t need “checking occasionally “ and it can be removed multiple times and reused without worry of leaks .

 

[kodpkd]

Thank you. For now I am going to install the cork gasket and see how it goes. If there becomes an issue, I will get a silicone one.

 

[Rob Glasgow]

I think he meant it doesn’t leak even if he needs to remove the cover to check the valve settings occasionally.

 

[LarryK]

Mine don't leak, retighten after first warmup and maybe once a year. Never crush is the main idea.