Sealing a cast alum valve cover...

[unstable bob gable]

Well, I have a set of aftermarket valve covers on my AMX, and they are big, cast alum jobbies. Well, when I put them on the first time with just a plain Fel-Pro rubber gasket, I had a leak on the driver's side. I took the cover off, cleaned up the gasket, skimmed it with some Permatex "Right Stuff," and re installed it. It seemed to hold up fine, until sometime in Dec, when I went to start the car up and run it a bit while it is in winter storage. The driver's side started leaking again, so I said "F" it and put the car away. Welp, it was nice today, so I figured I'd go run the car, and see about the leak. Some of the bolts were loose [I'm using stainless Allen bolts], so I tightened them up, and the leak seemed to be taken care of. I drove the car around a bit, and when I came to a stop at a light I noticed smoke coming out from under the car. I got back to my storage garage, and the valve cover was REALLY leaking badly. I tried tightening up the bolts again, but no dice. So I put the car away. Now I'm looking for a fix...and since I already tried my usually "proven" method of gasket and Right Stuff and it didn't hold, I'm looking for ideas...

[Tru2Chevy]

Have you checked the covers to make sure the sealing edge is completely flat?

- Justin

[ar0ck]

I had a similar issue way back when after I "gutted" my stock LT1 Aluminum valve covers to clear after market rockers. I ended up using the same method you did with the Permatex and it turned out to be the valve covers flexed when I cut the supports out and I needed to massage the cover lining inwards (if that makes any sense, it was the channel where the gasket goes in and over a center bolt style cylinder head)

I ended up using a small hammer and a good piece of wood.

[unstable bob gable]

Have you checked the covers to make sure the sealing edge is completely flat?

- Justin

THAT is something I will have to check!

[unstable bob gable]

I had a similar issue way back when after I "gutted" my stock LT1 Aluminum valve covers to clear after market rockers. I ended up using the same method you did with the Permatex and it turned out to be the valve covers flexed when I cut the supports out and I needed to massage the cover lining inwards (if that makes any sense, it was the channel where the gasket goes in and over a center bolt style cylinder head)

I ended up using a small hammer and a good piece of wood.

U could hit these covers with a 10 lb sludge hammer and they ain't gonna budge! These are 'ol skool foundry cast whammer jammers!

[JSPERFORMANCE]

Moroso makes a silicone gasket witha steel core that will pretty much seal anything. I am not sure if they are available for AMC but it is worth a try.

[Pampered-Z]

I had problems with the rubber gaskets on my alum covers, switched to cork and a little permatex and they work fine.

[GP99GT]

i used fel-pro cork gaskets on my 87 mustang with cast aluminum covers...worked fine

[68pont455]

i have thin aluminum valve covers. cheap moroso. i had the same problem. i went to a thick cork gasket and glued it to the valve cover. installed the valve cover to the head dry. no leaks. i never did trust the rubber gaskets. either no gasket or cork for anything i assemble and usually dont have problems. just another thought on the matter.

[unstable bob gable]

A buncha my AMC buddies are raving about SCI gaskets, so I ordered up a set. I'm also gonna take the cover off and see if the flange is wavy. If so, I'll run it by the local machine shop for a buzz back to straightness.

[bubba428]

torch+hammer=good valve cover but, torch+hammer=epic failure too

[BonzoHansen]

Anyone ever used Fel Pro Perma Seals?

Moroso makes a silicone gasket witha steel core that will pretty much seal anything. I am not sure if they are available for AMC but it is worth a try.

You mean these?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MOR%2D93020&autoview=sku

[SteveR]

I used the cork ones and they worked good, until one of the welds in the valve cover cracked and leaked oil. Damn sheet metal POS lol

[unstable bob gable]

I just got a set of SCI cork gaskets in the mail...now I just need a nice warm day to try them out!

[JSPERFORMANCE]

Anyone ever used Fel Pro Perma Seals?



You mean these?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MOR%2D93020&autoview=sku

thats them