Best valve cover gaskets?

Having valve cover gaskets that don't leak simply takes some attention to detail.

No matter what you decide to use if you follow the following procedures you'll never have a leaky valve cover gasket.

1. Remove valve covers and thoroughly clean both mating surfaces, I mean super clean. Use lacquer thinner, acetone, or brake cleaner to get the surfaces COMPLETELY free of oil and grease.

2. Place a thin layer of Permatex Ultra-Blue and the valve cover sealing area, place a thin layer of Permatex Ultra-Blue on the valve cover gasket on the side that is going to be placed on the valve cover. YES, you will have Permatex on both halves that are going to join.

3. WAIT 10 Minutes until the Permatex "Skins" on both halves.

4. Place the valve cover gasket on the valve cover pushing the two parts together.

5. WAIT 10 Minutes for the Permatex to setup a bit.

6. Place a thin layer of Permatex on the valve cover gasket. Make 100% percent sure there isn't ANY oil on the sealing surface of the head.

7. WAIT 10 Minutes for the Permatex to skin.

8. Place valve cover on engine and GENTLY torque to the required spec. I think its 15 LBS or less.

9. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. WAIT 24 HOURS, Yes 24 hours for the Permatex to completely cure. THEN and ONLY THEN should you start your motor.

I used this technique on both my 340 Duster and a Volkswagen Dune Buggy, (VW motors are notorious for leaky valve covers.) and it worked every time.

Regards,

Joe Dokes