ckuske Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 So a week or so ago in my project thread I mentioned that the passenger side valve cover had an oil leak dripping onto the exhaust manifold (#4 cylinder) after starting my engine for the first time in at least 18 months... I purchased the gaskets from Real Gaskets (https://realgaskets.com/product/valve-cover-gaskets-33/), and the instructions say emphatically to not use any sealant etc. Ok, fine. But my question is this: I have a feeling that while fishing the rear of the cover through the wire harness etc, that the gasket shifted a little bit (even though I had the tabs on the gasket pushed onto the notches on cover itself). I'd like to put a very small amount of something on to the side of the gasket that touches the cover, just to make sure it doesn't move or flop around a little bit during installation. Advice/suggestions? Since the gaskets are silicone, I am thinking normal adhesives may not work that are intended for rubber/cork. A quick Google say E6000 may work? I intend on using a very small amount, just to hold the gasket while installing. I will also be hammering the holes flush again just to be sure that didn't contribute at all, even though I didn't torque the bolts down very much - I will be getting a torque wrench that does in/lbs as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Silicon is hard to hold. RTV will usually stick to it, but it is as slick as grease until it cures, so if you use a thin smear of it don’t torque the valve cover down until the next day. Better would be contact cement spray. A really light coat to hold the gasket works nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuske Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 Silicon is hard to hold. RTV will usually stick to it, but it is as slick as grease until it cures, so if you use a thin smear of it don’t torque the valve cover down until the next day. Better would be contact cement spray. A really light coat to hold the gasket works nicely. Thanks Gary. I’ll see what I can get from Amazon, I have time to get the right thing. Thanks for answering. Maybe putting the little bit of cement won’t make it 100% reusable but I’ll take that over a leak! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Thanks Gary. I’ll see what I can get from Amazon, I have time to get the right thing. Thanks for answering. Maybe putting the little bit of cement won’t make it 100% reusable but I’ll take that over a leak! Yes, it makes it hard to remove, but glued to the valve cover you shouldn’t have to remove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Yes, it makes it hard to remove, but glued to the valve cover you shouldn’t have to remove it. one tip i can give is one i use fairly often. i like to "stud" the heads with 1-1 1/4' inch all thread and a simple two nut jammed to set them works great. this allows me to slip the gasket on then the cover and use nut and washer to fasten. I know it's very simple and I certainly did not invent it, but it works great. if I'm doing a restoration, I use the factory hardware of course. but not all are factory correct. some are just fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts