Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Another oi leak

Derek69SS · Founding Member

When I've used cork gaskets, I put RTV on one side to hold the gasket to the valve cover, and lithium grease on the bottom to mate to the head. This makes them removable without having to replace the gasket or clean anything up.

Chris S · Active Member

I used some rubber gaskets years ago and haven’t any issues. Fel-Pro VS12869T. They are spendy but work great for me.

Lost in the 60s · President

The gasket you have is, I believe, the one Chris suggested and is, normally, very good sealing. Make certain the perimeter of the cover does sit flat all the way around on that board and the bolt holes aren't concave. Use the original style torque spreader spacer. With the bolt holes level with the rest of the cover, the steel shim in the gasket will prevent over tightening. Make certain both surfaces are clean and DRY of any oil and Do not use any sealant, as that prevents the rubber from sealing.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

I am considering these. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1604. A little thicker around 5/32, rubber cork compound. Sealing to valve cover. Lithium grease on head surface as Derek suggested. The original style mounting with spark plug holders. If they didn’t leak in 66 they shouldn’t leak in 2024. I was using those spreaders and it leaked. On TC it was suggested that I scuffed up the chrome on the VC where itv mates to the gasket.

-- Edited by jim larson on Saturday 23rd of March 2024 10:19:17 AM

Lost in the 60s · President

I was wondering if the covers were aftermarket, if yes, then sand that chrome for a gasket to seat to. They are also thinner material and bend much easier, making it difficult to get them tight.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

My guess would be aftermarket. Dont know how you would tell if they are original as in 68 they had a chromed valve cover like these. I sanded the chrome as a 67 owner I think is on top of things suggested I do that. Think I will reuse the spreaders that were on the VC when I got the car.

just ordered gaskets from speedway today. They are a blend of cork and neoprene with a steel insert, 0.33. No idea of the insert thickness. Hoping it will compress enough to make a good seal along the bottom and up the sides. Plan to seal the gaskets to the VC’s. If bottom and sides don’t keep the oil from leaking where gaskets meet the heads, then???

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Well the VC is on. I used gaskets from speedway, they were a combination of cork and rubber with a steel insert ( 0.33 thick ). I sanded the chrome off the inside of the VC Where the gasket sits. Then I glued the gaskets to the VC with a weather strip sealant that was also resistant to oil.

I used lithium grease between the VC gaskets and the aluminum heads ( hoping I don’t have to use those aftermarket spreaders).I put the original style SB hold down retainers and the spark plug retainers that I reconditione back on.

Then I couldn’t find the rear spark plug retainer for the drivers side (took me 2 yrs to find on) The search continues tomorrow. Only used on 64-66 chevelles with a SB.

-- Edited by jim larson on Saturday 30th of March 2024 07:19:53 PM

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Did not work. When I. Took the car for a drive oil all over the side of the engine bay that the VC was on. What a mess.

Well I tried something else. I used the origional blue rubber gaskets. Put Black Ultra RTV on both sides od gasket. Extra heavy on the lower corners. 2 drives and 100 miles absolutely no leaks.