Leaking Valve covers! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72superBB · 12-30-2003, 03:40 PM

Anyone have any suggestions on how to stop leaking valve covers?

I have used rubber and cork. The bolts seems to always be loose. I thought I had them tight enough. I am getting oil collecting in the pocket of the heads and the header gasket. THe picture shows how they are bolted on now. I have not used a torque wrench to get the correct pressure, but they were not tight and not even loose when I was done. I have cleaned the cover up since this pic was taken, so it is not from the grommit area that looks dirty.

thanks

Thanks for your input.

Ron

danho · 12-30-2003, 03:51 PM

First check to see if the rails are warped due to overtightening.
You can use some light weight Loc Tite on the bolts, or get some valve cover studs. Also make sure all the mating surfaces are clean.
Dan

72superBB · 12-30-2003, 03:53 PM

Rails?

I am assuming the valve covers themselves. Are the studs the long bars that go to each side of the bolt hole a couple inches?

thanks

Ron

jef5150 · 12-30-2003, 04:14 PM

yes it a crappy pic,,,,,,,if you over tighten the valve covers,they get "dimples" in the rails,they wont clamp evenly over the entire cover.you can take a block of wood and "tap" them flat,,,,,jeff

jef5150 · 12-30-2003, 04:18 PM

dont tap the overhang flat!!!!!!!!!!!!just the surface that rests on the gasket,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,jeff

71chevylongbed · 12-30-2003, 04:35 PM

did you make sure that the gasket surfaces are really clean? I have had good luck Mr. Gasket ultraseal gaskets.

*racedvl* · 12-30-2003, 04:45 PM

Wanna stop pesky oil leaks???

Get rid of those sh*tty chrome valve covers!!! You will never get them to seal. Find some nice stock ones, or go with alum. valve covers. Chrome valve covers are thin, they dissapate heat very poorly, and they always leak.

*pushed off soapbox

Primed67 · 12-30-2003, 04:58 PM

I was told with Chrome Valve Covers to ruff the bottoms up on them. Take a real corse sand paper to them and ruff them up. Then apply your sealant and install.

ChevLoRay · 12-30-2003, 05:07 PM

Back in the day, Corvair valve covers were so prone to leakage that GM crafted special "keepers (I don't know what to call 'em) that spread the clamping force out about 1 inch on each side of the bolt. If you will recall, the V-8's had smaller ones that extended about 1/2 inch.

These guys are telling you right about the holes for the bolts. Overtightening them over time causes them to compress the gasket, toward the head. This dimple prevents the cover from getting tight, in spife of the torque that you put on the bolts.

Oh yeah....be careful that you don't break one of those bolts off in the head. They're a b!tch to get out.

Go with the aluminum. It is much better.

Gotta remember that one.

12-30-2003, 03:40 PM	#1
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	Leaking Valve covers! Anyone have any suggestions on how to stop leaking valve covers? I have used rubber and cork. The bolts seems to always be loose. I thought I had them tight enough. I am getting oil collecting in the pocket of the heads and the header gasket. THe picture shows how they are bolted on now. I have not used a torque wrench to get the correct pressure, but they were not tight and not even loose when I was done. I have cleaned the cover up since this pic was taken, so it is not from the grommit area that looks dirty. thanks Thanks for your input. Ron Attached Images __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-30-2003, 03:53 PM	#3
72superBB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mandan, ND Posts: 422	Rails? I am assuming the valve covers themselves. Are the studs the long bars that go to each side of the bolt hole a couple inches? thanks Ron __________________ Life is full of choices and a Chevy is the best choice. 1990 Chevy SWB

12-30-2003, 04:14 PM	#4
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	RAILS............ yes it a crappy pic,,,,,,,if you over tighten the valve covers,they get "dimples" in the rails,they wont clamp evenly over the entire cover.you can take a block of wood and "tap" them flat,,,,,jeff Attached Images

12-30-2003, 04:35 PM	#6
71chevylongbed Got Horsepower? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: IDAHO Posts: 406	did you make sure that the gasket surfaces are really clean? I have had good luck Mr. Gasket ultraseal gaskets. __________________ 2001 Dodge 2500 Cummins, 4 inch lift, 35" Toyo MT's on Ultra wheels, P-Pump Conversion, AFE intake, Fass, 5 inch exhaust, Pyro,Boost,and Fuel pressure guages, and a whole bunch of other stuff "The Money Pit" SOLD-71 Chevy C10 long bed- 2/4 drop-- 350,th400, Edelbrock performer RPM intake,Edelbrock 600 CFM carb,Crower 240 cam,port and polish,Dynomax headers,HEI ignition,dual 2.5 inch exhaust with Flowmaster 50 series mufflers

12-30-2003, 04:58 PM	#8
Primed67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tyler Posts: 575	I was told with Chrome Valve Covers to ruff the bottoms up on them. Take a real corse sand paper to them and ruff them up. Then apply your sealant and install. __________________ 1969 Chevrolet SWB Stepside 1959 Chevrolet apache * Sold 1967 Prostreet Chevy SWB Fleetside *Sold 2014 1/2 ton Crew Cab Chevrolet 4x4

12-30-2003, 03:51 PM	#2
danho Pesemistic Optimist Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Prineville, Oregon Posts: 227	First check to see if the rails are warped due to overtightening. You can use some light weight Loc Tite on the bolts, or get some valve cover studs. Also make sure all the mating surfaces are clean. Dan

12-30-2003, 04:18 PM	#5
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	dont tap the overhang flat!!!!!!!!!!!!just the surface that rests on the gasket,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,jeff

12-30-2003, 04:45 PM	#7
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Wanna stop pesky oil leaks??? Get rid of those shtty chrome valve covers!!! You will never get them to seal. Find some nice stock ones, or go with alum. valve covers. Chrome valve covers are thin, they dissapate heat very poorly, and they always leak. pushed off soapbox

12-30-2003, 05:07 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Back in the day, Corvair valve covers were so prone to leakage that GM crafted special "keepers (I don't know what to call 'em) that spread the clamping force out about 1 inch on each side of the bolt. If you will recall, the V-8's had smaller ones that extended about 1/2 inch. These guys are telling you right about the holes for the bolts. Overtightening them over time causes them to compress the gasket, toward the head. This dimple prevents the cover from getting tight, in spife of the torque that you put on the bolts. Oh yeah....be careful that you don't break one of those bolts off in the head. They're a b!tch to get out. Go with the aluminum. It is much better. Gotta remember that one. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

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