C3 valve cover gaskets

[TonyK72]

I'm new to the NCRS, so forgive me if this is a silly question but, are valve cover gaskets part of the judging? I need ro replace mine, any suggestions as to what type, brand, etc...

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 valve cover gaskets

The gaskets are judged but with the covers and would have paint on the edge and be cork in early C3's. You should use what GM put on your Corvette when it was new and may have changed in later C3's. If the ones you are replacing are original try to find some that look the same and paint the edge if you want the most points. For a driver use todays best material as their are lots of them to chose from ask your parts man.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 valve cover gaskets

Tony----

The original valve cover gaskets used on all Corvette V-8s from 1955 through 1980 were cork. The best and most correct valve cover gasket available are those from Dr. Rebuild. These are natural cork and don't have the "extra holes" on one side (to make them be a "one-size-fits-all" for 55-59 and 59-80 valve covers). The original PRODUCTION valve cover gaskets DID NOT have extra holes, but GM SERVICE valve cover gaskets DO have the "extra holes". The "extra holes" can't be seen when the gaskets are installed on the engine, but they do weaken the gaskets and I don't like to use them. Dr. Rebuild's gaskets look like real cork, feel like real cork, and smell like real cork. I'll bet they even taste like real cork (if one was inclined to taste them).

The best sealing valve cover gaskets (SEALING is one of the most important things that a valve cover gasket is suppoosed to do, after all) are the corkprene gaskets with steel core available from Fel-Pro and the rubber sealing/torque limiting gaskets available from Fel-Pro or Earles Performance Products.