Getting the valve cover to seal?

[Anonymous]

Hey there guys...

I am running a chrome valve cover on my Aussie 2v.
And I am frustrated beyond my reasoning...

I have changed the gasket and sealed that thing three times and I cannot get it to stop leaking.

I know not to overcrank the bolts.
I shaved the cover along the intake runners where it was hitting on the 2v head.
I have tried Cork and Rubber gaskets... using both High Tac and Now Ultra Copper as dressing to help.

The leak is never in the same spot, seems to be on the intake side of the engine, and not so much above the plugs?


I am thinking about making a metal rim to run around the valve cover under the bolts and above the flange to help spread out the pressure on the gasket....


but I am tired of leaking oil onto my clean and new engine...
getting tired of cleaning it.


I would like to install an aluminum cover, but have not found one yet.
and I cannot use the stock cover, cause I am pretty sure it will not fit over these roller rockers....


any advice? maybe I need to buy a new one and start over.

 

[65coupei6]

Since you tried a few times it could be the cover itself. I hate the chrome covers. You know when metal is chromed it weakens and distorts it.

But, how did you use the ultra copper?

The best thing to do is use the ultra copper with a rubber gasket. Glue the gasket to the valve cover and let it sit for about 20 mins. Then install the cover. If you did this it could be the cover itself or the head.

 

[80broncoman]

In the past chrome thermostat housing had the same problem. before they started o-ringing them I used to sand with sand paper the chrome off the bottom of the housing. The RTV will stick much better if you either rough up the chrome or sand it off compleatly.

 

[ricksmol]

Jimbo:
I stopped the leaking by going to a cast aluminium valve cover (Clifford). Tried as I may I could not get the chrome one to stop leaking.

Rick

 

[Mike]

What rockers are you running? I used a stock cover on my 2v running the roller tipped rockers from rocker arm specialties. No clearance problems or leaks. Just recently went to a polished Edelbrock vintage cover.

Mike

 

[CobraSix]

I went back to my regular orange cover for the same reason. I use a rubber gasket with no sealant (I keep taking it off for adjustments) and I have no leaks.

Slade

 

[falcon fanatic]

Are they supposed to seal? I thought the constant leak was designed in for corrosion protection.

 

[Anonymous]

You could try one more thing, but it makes valve cover removal a little difficult:

3M Weatherstrip Adhesive (only the Yellow stuff). Soak a cork gasket in hot water for about 10 min (makes it swell). Towel dry gasket. Apply thin bead of yellow 3M goo to the valve cover, install gasket in cover, apply more 3m goo to bottom of gasket, bolt her on.

 

[wsa111]

try 1 last resort. mr. gasket or summit has tee shaped stamped steel tabs you can put under the valve cover bolts,similiar thing used on older small block chevys. look in autozone,advance auto parts or any good parts house.
glue the rubber gasket to the valve cover,let dry then bolt on cover with the tabs at the bolt hold downs. it works 3 out of 4 times.if this does not work buy an aluminium cover from clifford. :idea: