I thought I'd sacrifice originality for cleanliness and installed rubber valve cover gaskets.(I did not use any sealer) I was surprised that there is some leaking. The engine and valve cover surfaces are not damaged in any way. I assumed they would seal better than the original, cork type. Was this a wrong assumtion on my part?
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Re: '66 L79 valve cover gaskets
I've never had good results with rubber V/C gaskets. I think its Victor that makes a cork composite gasket that is a bit thicker than the original. They work pretty slick -
Re: '66 L79 valve cover gaskets
go with cork. use 3-M yellow weathewrstrip cement to afix the cork to the valve covers. then smear a little RTV on the cork surface that'll contact the head jsut before installing them. Note "little" RTV silicone. good luck, mikeComment
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Re: '66 L79 valve cover gaskets
Rob last time I put valve cover gaskets on my original owner 68 L79 I bought a package of over the counter cork gaskets from Auto Zone. Use my inch pound torque wrench to tighten the bolts because I will over tighten them without it. I have had several years of use out of them since the last replacement. I have retorqued them since installation a few times, this helps for my application. The quality of the Auto Zone gaskets could of changed one way or the other since I bought mine, however I will use them again, they are easy to change.Comment
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Re: '66 L79 valve cover gaskets
Rob, One of the major reasons that small block valve covers with new gaskets leak is warped or bent covers or flanges. Be sure the flanges are not turned up or the bolt hole areas bent down by over-torqued bolts. Straighten the flanges, then set them on the heads w/o gasket and check for even contact with head. Bend the bolt hole areas "slightly" away from the head bolt pads. RTV (use high temp red color to match engine color) the best grade of Victor cork gaskets to the valve covers, clean-up excess, place valve covers with clean gasket side down on flat surface, and dry for 2 days. When the cover-gaskets are dry, wipe a very light coat (prime) of RTV on the exposed cork surface and dry for 2 days. Wipe a light even smooth coat of RTV on the clean oil free head flanges and bolt pads and dry for 2 days. If you do not plan to remove the valve covers again soon, apply more RTV to the head flange and install valve covers, coat bolt threads and hole areas with RTV, torque to specs, clean-up, and dry for 2 days before starting engine. If you plan to remove the valve covers again soon, just bolt the dried covers without additional RTV on the dried heads and torque to spec. Be sure to not over-torque the bolts.
Sorry about the long-winded explanation, but I really dislike seeping valve covers and this has worked on many GM covers.Comment
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Re: '66 L79 valve cover gaskets
Thanks for the tips. I'll try the RTV approach. The covers are the stock, cast aluminum. They are perfectly clean, and straight as are the head surfaces, so I thought the sealant method wouldn't be necessary. Guess that was wishfull thinking. I hate leaks in this area also. I'm sure I'll be fine with the sealant.Comment
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Re: '66 L79 valve cover gaskets
The RTV method works great on your cast valve covers also. Be sure and check the operation of the PCV valve by checking for suction at the oil filler hole. If the crankcases is not venting correctly, the valve covers may pressure leak, also pan and crank seals.Comment
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