leaking...f...king valve covers ???

-
Didn't know if you fixed the leaks yet but here's what I did to mine and no leaks ! First I took a heavy grit sand paper for a orbital DA sander and ran the ruff grit back and forth length ways all around the length of the valve covers gasket surface cleaned gasket surface and inside of valve covers of any dirt or loose grit etc. Then I use 700 degree copper permatex sealant and felpro cork/rubber gaskets problem fixed
 
dazedand confused said:
Didn't know if you fixed the leaks yet but here's what I did to mine and no leaks ! First I took a heavy grit sand paper for a orbital DA sander and ran the ruff grit back and forth length ways all around the length of the valve covers gasket surface cleaned gasket surface and inside of valve covers of any dirt or loose grit etc. Then I use 700 degree copper permatex sealant and felpro cork/rubber gaskets problem fixed
Click to expand...


I'll try that on my next set thanks
 
saw some valve cover gaskets at the Fling. They were 1/4 inch thick silicone (yellow?) and soft but may have had a wire core. They were for B heads. IIRC it was Mazollinis table.
 
handbanana said:
Are you CERTAIN that they are seated and sealing near the intake runners? Common problem with aftermarket intake manifolds. I've had to file a relief in cast covers many times, some more than others.
They can be hitting the runner (even just a little) and appear to be seated, but aren't . A tiny gap is all takes.
I've also heard of double gasketing with cork, but haven't had to do this myself.
Of course, prep is everything. Just shedding light on the not-so-obvious.
Click to expand...
Listen to this. I had a similar problem with Mopar Performance Valve covers and an Edelbro
Cuda43.JPG
ck AIr Gap intake. The inboard lip of the valve covers were barely touching the manifold in two places, but it was so minor, I did not notice it at first. I wound up grinding a small relief in the valve covers in a few places. Not really noticeable.
 
The MP valve covers are a little too wide which is why they often leak. The rails in the valve covers are offset from the valve cover rails in the head. So the gasket gets rolled over and they leak. I fought that for years then finally decided to just solve the problem by making my own valve covers with the correct dimensions. Now I don't have any leaks.
DSC_9870 (Large).JPG
 
AndyF said:
The MP valve covers are a little too wide which is why they often leak. The rails in the valve covers are offset from the valve cover rails in the head. So the gasket gets rolled over and they leak. I fought that for years then finally decided to just solve the problem by making my own valve covers with the correct dimensions. Now I don't have any leaks.
View attachment 1715243075
Click to expand...
VERY nice job on the valve covers. When someone says they made their own, you often see Frankensteined, hack welded jobs. Those are very nice. Tell me about the distributor. I have never seen one like that.
 
CudaChick1968 said:
This is a long read (you know how women are :-D) but it may be something to investigate.
Do You Own Big Block MP Valve Covers?? Please Read This ... and Share
Click to expand...
Right on, Leanna...picked up a set of MP small block vc's at a swap meet earlier this year, but haven't gotten around to stripping and detailing them yet. Hope I don't have the same issues as the Big Blocks! You Do Great work! I checked out your website a few weeks ago. The color combo's on some of the valve covers you've done are very cool!
 
Anybody use spacers and if so any leaking problems with them ?
I am thinking about adding 1.6 roller rockers and I am afraid my set of commando valve covers (which allready have a leak issue wont fit anymore.

But i want to keep the look.
 
handbanana said:
Are you CERTAIN that they are seated and sealing near the intake runners? Common problem with aftermarket intake manifolds. I've had to file a relief in cast covers many times, some more than others.
They can be hitting the runner (even just a little) and appear to be seated, but aren't . A tiny gap is all takes.
I've also heard of double gasketing with cork, but haven't had to do this myself.
Of course, prep is everything. Just shedding light on the not-so-obvious.
Click to expand...


I know at least 1 model MP valve cover have a chamfer cut on the underside pan rail to address this interference with the intake that can cause leaks.
I've seen it myself but I don't recall if ones I saw were LA, RB or Magnum

EDIT: i think it was Magnums.
 
Last edited:
Get Moroso v.c. gaskets , pay the price , use a torque wrench @ 8 ft. lbs. Everyone over tightens them . solved my problem F.Y.I. as cast rocker cover rails SUCK
 
71scamp78 said:
what would you guys say are the better valve covers and gaskets to use on stock cast iron heads as far as fitment and gasket seal..I have some Mopar Performance cast aluminum on my 440 right now answer seem to leak no matter what. I don't care much for them anyhow so what is a decent priced set and gaskets
Click to expand...
First, put a straight edge down the length of the rail. Make sure their flat. Use Superformance gaskets. Best gaskets out there.
 
mikeg1955 said:
I HAVETHE MOPAR VALVE COVERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I GOT A SET OF VS50145R THAT FIX MY LEAKS THANK MIKE
Click to expand...

Hay Mike, is that number for big block gaskets? & what brand (MP cast VC's/gasket combo)...or for a set of different valve covers altogether?
 
HMBCUDA said:
Hay Mike, is that number for big block gaskets? & what brand (MP cast VC's/gasket combo)...or for a set of different valve covers altogether?
Click to expand...
YES IT IS BIG BLOCK THERE ARE FEL-PRO THE VALVE COVER ARE THE BLACK MOPAR PERFORMANCE CAST ALUMINUM
 
AndyF said:
The MP valve covers are a little too wide which is why they often leak. The rails in the valve covers are offset from the valve cover rails in the head. So the gasket gets rolled over and they leak. I fought that for years then finally decided to just solve the problem by making my own valve covers with the correct dimensions. Now I don't have any leaks.
View attachment 1715243075
Click to expand...
hell of a great job on those valve covers! you aught to patent those suckers!
 
If you slowly peel the gasket from the bottom up one or 2 things will happen the entire gasket will peel away from the head and valve covers or the gasket will stay sealed to the valve covers and peel off of the heads . I've done this many times but you have to use the copper stuff . Any other sealant will tear the gasket and or stick to the head leaving chunks of gasket and sealant. All I do is run a clean rag with carb and choke cleaner over the copper sealent/gasket surface and apply a thin layer of copper permatex sealant over existing sealant and bolt the valve covers back up and still no leaks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top