Ultra-Seal Valve Cover Gaskets by Mr. Gasket: Liars, NOT as Advertised.

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harrisonm

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I have an oil leak past the passenger side valve cover gasket. I did some research on VC gaskets. I wanted good ones. I googled silicone gaskets but, as usual, google gave me what THEY wanted me to see. The Mr Gasket Ultra-Seal gaskets looked interesting. The website said they were a rubberized cork covered with a black Latex rubber coating to eliminate leaks. Look at the gaskets I got today. Do you see a rubberized black latex coating? Plus, look at what is on the back of the package! Even there it says that the Ulta-Seal Gaskets had a black rubberized latex coating. I will be calling Holley on Monday morning and asking them what’s going on. I’m glad I bought them on Amazon. There will be no question about a refund.
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what valve cover on what engine?

Look for silicone gaskets with a metal shim core (to keep the gasket in the right place between bolts). Used to get grey ones from Mopar Performance. Moroso has a version. Don't overtighten the gaskets!
 
what valve cover on what engine?

Look for silicone gaskets with a metal shim core (to keep the gasket in the right place between bolts). Used to get grey ones from Mopar Performance. Moroso has a version. Don't overtighten the gaskets!
I have some of the gray Mopar ones here ( some where), they even have raised ridges on them. Always sealed well. I wonder who made them for Mopar. Never a leak.
 
what valve cover on what engine?

Look for silicone gaskets with a metal shim core (to keep the gasket in the right place between bolts). Used to get grey ones from Mopar Performance. Moroso has a version. Don't overtighten the gaskets!
Sorry. 340, Factory heads and Mopar performance valve covers.
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There is the likely source of your problem - those cast aluminum valve covers. The chance of getting even slightly warped MP valve covers to seal is low. With only 5 bolts over 3 feet of valve cover perimeter and around 4 corners, pulling it down flush with the head rim is difficult. Ever wonder why magnum valve covers have 10 bolts? Someone used to sell double thickness gaskets that were somewhat better. If you have the steel shim silicone ones, the shim might let you double them up.

Have you solved the interference issue between the motor side edge of the valve cover and the ports on most aftermarket intake manifolds. Removal of the lip that captures the gasket in that area is a feature of most used MP valve covers that I have seen.
 
what valve cover on what engine?

Look for silicone gaskets with a metal shim core (to keep the gasket in the right place between bolts). Used to get grey ones from Mopar Performance. Moroso has a version. Don't overtighten the gaskets!


I found these. on the Moroso site. it says,
  • Specially designed gaskets are manufactured from 40 durometer rubber, molded over and vulcanized to a rigid steel frame.

Moroso 93050 Valve Cover Gasket Set

$55 on Amazon. I think I'll get them.
 
Have you solved the interference issue between the motor side edge of the valve cover and the ports on most aftermarket intake manifolds. Removal of the lip that captures the gasket in that area is a feature of most used MP valve covers that I have seen.
Funny you should mention that. Yes I did. They were hitting pretty hard. For about 3 years, cork gaskets with RTV have sealed fine.
 
There a manufacturers out the that still make the silicone and steel sandwich type valve cover gaskets. I've had a set on my Demon going on 20 years, they have been off and on too many times to count to check valve lash on the solid roller cam. These gaskets have gotten a little pricey over the las few year, I'm glad I bought a few sets when they were relatively inexpensive.
 
I just went through this same thing a month ago.
Bought a set from AutoZone and a set from O'Reilly's.
Both were cork, called Holley and they pulled the part and they were black latex covered.
I returned them and bought some felpro from summit.
 

I have an oil leak past the passenger side valve cover gasket. I did some research on VC gaskets. I wanted good ones. I googled silicone gaskets but, as usual, google gave me what THEY wanted me to see. The Mr Gasket Ultra-Seal gaskets looked interesting. The website said they were a rubberized cork covered with a black Latex rubber coating to eliminate leaks. Look at the gaskets I got today. Do you see a rubberized black latex coating? Plus, look at what is on the back of the package! Even there it says that the Ulta-Seal Gaskets had a black rubberized latex coating. I will be calling Holley on Monday morning and asking them what’s going on. I’m glad I bought them on Amazon. There will be no question about a refund. View attachment 1716488499View attachment 1716488500View attachment 1716488501
DODGE Mr. Gasket 5876 Mr. Gasket Ultra-Seal Valve Cover Gaskets | Summit Racing Same part number. different photo here.

1765637474974.png
 
I have an oil leak past the passenger side valve cover gasket. I did some research on VC gaskets. I wanted good ones. I googled silicone gaskets but, as usual, google gave me what THEY wanted me to see. The Mr Gasket Ultra-Seal gaskets looked interesting. The website said they were a rubberized cork covered with a black Latex rubber coating to eliminate leaks. Look at the gaskets I got today. Do you see a rubberized black latex coating? Plus, look at what is on the back of the package! Even there it says that the Ulta-Seal Gaskets had a black rubberized latex coating. I will be calling Holley on Monday morning and asking them what’s going on. I’m glad I bought them on Amazon. There will be no question about a refund.


These work good. Edelbrock has their version but are more money

Fel-Pro 1612 Fel-Pro Performance Valve Cover Gaskets | Summit Racing
 
damn but the detail work on the valve covers and air cleaner is absolutely outstanding!

DON'T USE THESE!!! I swear by Real Gasket's Thermostat housing gaskets, so I tried the Valve cover gaskets. These are silicone gaskets with no solid shim inside. On a 5 bolt small block valve cover there isn't enough rigidity to keep them from squeezing the floppy silicone gaskets out from the edge between the bolts. They leaked like a sieve.
 
as usual, the mr. gasket stuff doesn't live up to the hype. [exhibit: 1,345]

these right here are the jam.


yeah they're a grip of dough, but i've been able to seal up with mangled old vintage covers and new cast alum covers alike. just a dab of sticky to hold them in place on the cover. and, yes they are reuseable.

if you're going low rent, just get the standard fel-pro cork ones. a little high-tack of some sort and send 'em. just know that if you gotta pull the covers the likelihood is that you'll be replacing them.
 
You can mess with all the BS... nothing seals better than OE cork on cast heads.
I am wondering if new cork is junk but old cork is fine. The older cork FelPro i have seals on my older M/T and stock but chromed steel fine.
I wondering if it is a case of bad covers and lesser quality cork combined. Kinda a case of don't make things like they used to. So ends up perfect storm?
 
The Mr. Gasket website had that picture. I can't wait to call them on Monday.
damn but the detail work on the valve covers and air cleaner is absolutely outstanding!
Thanks. I powder coated them myself. I have about 40 hours in on that trio. Even the infamous Cudachick PMd told me she was impressed.
as usual, the mr. gasket stuff doesn't live up to the hype. [exhibit: 1,345]

these right here are the jam.

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yeah they're a grip of dough, but i've been able to seal up with mangled old vintage covers and new cast alum covers alike. just a dab of sticky to hold them in place on the cover. and, yes they are reuseable.

if you're going low rent, just get the standard fel-pro cork ones. a little high-tack of some sort and send 'em. just know that if you gotta pull the covers the likelihood is that you'll be replacing them.
I am going to seriously consider them. I won't mind spending a few extra bucks if they work. Thanks.
 
There is the likely source of your problem - those cast aluminum valve covers. The chance of getting even slightly warped MP valve covers to seal is low. With only 5 bolts over 3 feet of valve cover perimeter and around 4 corners, pulling it down flush with the head rim is difficult. Ever wonder why magnum valve covers have 10 bolts? Someone used to sell double thickness gaskets that were somewhat better. If you have the steel shim silicone ones, the shim might let you double them up.

Have you solved the interference issue between the motor side edge of the valve cover and the ports on most aftermarket intake manifolds. Removal of the lip that captures the gasket in that area is a feature of most used MP valve covers that I have seen.

I first put a set of Cal Custom cast aluminum valve covers on my 340 back in the early seventies. Much later, I ran MP cast aluminum valve covers. Now have Offenhauser finned aluminum valve covers. ALL of them needed to be clearanced at the intake manifold ports. First go around, I used a flat file because that was what I had. Now use a die grinder. Takes just a few minutes. So easy I really don't know why anyone would think it's a problem.

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My experience over the past 50 years is that cast aluminum valve covers are easier to seal than the OEM stamped steel valve covers, simply because they are more rigid. I just use a cheap cork gasket - seals very well.
 
I am wondering if new cork is junk but old cork is fine. The older cork FelPro i have seals on my older M/T and stock but chromed steel fine.
I wondering if it is a case of bad covers and lesser quality cork combined. Kinda a case of don't make things like they used to. So ends up perfect storm?
Well, nothing is as good as it used to be, so the new cork stuff probably ain't worth spit.
 
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