question about valve cover gasket.
02-17-2011, 08:28 AM
#11
Hi-Rev Motorsports
Use the rubber gasket and NO sealer...
wipe both surfaces clean with brake cleaner or Lacquer Thinner then add the rubber gasket and snug the bolts DO NOT over tighten...it wont leak...and shouldnt for several hundred thousand miles...
Dont use any cork gaskets...those are older technology than your Great Grandfather and dont live...
you can use just black RTV and it wont leak either if you do it right but it wont easily come off if you need it to...
Clean both surfaces as mentioned above. Supply a 1/4 to 3/8 constant bead on the head surface lip. set on the cover and start the 2 bottom bolts...DO NOT push the cover down...let it set on top of the sealer but push it just enough to make sure the whole cover is touching sealant...there should be a pretty even 1/8 in or more of sealer between the head and cover...clean the bolt holes out and start the bolts but the head of the bolts should NOT touch the cover at this time....
Let the RTV cure 1-2 hours...once cure lightly snug bolts and go...
I have sealed a great many engines with no gaskets this way and they dont leak but they dont easily come apart later nor clean up to easy....the cleaner the mating surfaces are the better the stick of the RTV....
wipe both surfaces clean with brake cleaner or Lacquer Thinner then add the rubber gasket and snug the bolts DO NOT over tighten...it wont leak...and shouldnt for several hundred thousand miles...
Dont use any cork gaskets...those are older technology than your Great Grandfather and dont live...
you can use just black RTV and it wont leak either if you do it right but it wont easily come off if you need it to...
Clean both surfaces as mentioned above. Supply a 1/4 to 3/8 constant bead on the head surface lip. set on the cover and start the 2 bottom bolts...DO NOT push the cover down...let it set on top of the sealer but push it just enough to make sure the whole cover is touching sealant...there should be a pretty even 1/8 in or more of sealer between the head and cover...clean the bolt holes out and start the bolts but the head of the bolts should NOT touch the cover at this time....
Let the RTV cure 1-2 hours...once cure lightly snug bolts and go...
I have sealed a great many engines with no gaskets this way and they dont leak but they dont easily come apart later nor clean up to easy....the cleaner the mating surfaces are the better the stick of the RTV....
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mach1threat (12-31-2014)
12-20-2012, 07:08 PM
#14
Another Valve Cover Job! My 89 F-150 5.0 L has been leaking oil for a long time and I just bought the Felpro Valve Cover gasket set and a Haynes manual that is totally generic and worthless (at least on this particular job). On the driver side, there is a harness that is tight to the " distributor side" of the valve cover, does that have to be removed? Also, it appears there is a "coil" and something else mounted on a bracket w/2 fasteners directly over the valve cover near the firewall that I assume must be removed. I am open to advice on what to remove and what to leave alone! Thanks.
12-20-2012, 07:17 PM
#15
Senior Member
If you use an RTV sealer in any amount on any part of the engine that is exposed to the intake or the crank case [valve covers oil pan etc.] be sure to use a senser safe RTV or you will kill your O2 sensors quicker than a 12 gauge shot gun. you would be much better off just useing a good quality gasket desighned for the application.
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Ford Fixer (12-20-2012)
The following users liked this post:
mach1threat (12-31-2014)