Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

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Steve Turino
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Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#1 Post by Steve Turino »

I am going to do a valve adjustment and will be installing a set of Vic's valve cover gaskets's (non glued in type) Do I install dry, with a thin coat of motor oil or a thin coat of grease?
thanks
1961 T5 Super Coupe
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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#2 Post by Vic Skirmants »

I only use a light film of oil on a new engine, when the heads and covers are dry. Other times, there is usually a film of oil present on the heads and covers.

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Steve Turino
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#3 Post by Steve Turino »

Thanks Vic
Steve
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Geoff Fleming
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#4 Post by Geoff Fleming »

...and they seem to last forever! Installed a set when Vic first produced them and still have them in use...no leaks , unlike the original gaskets.

Conrad Carter
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#5 Post by Conrad Carter »

Vic sells valve cover gaskets? I had no idea.
Conrad

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#6 Post by Doug McDonnell »

1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Mark Roth
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#7 Post by Mark Roth »

I’ve never had a leak with Vic’s gaskets in over 20 years. As mentioned, they last a long time so they have been changed maybe two or three times. However, I had the engine rebuilt and the builder used the standard gaskets. They recently started to leak because they were distorted. I replaced with Vic’s gaskets but noticed a very slow drip from one side. This cover is straight. I noticed that I can move the cover slightly unlike the one that doesn’t leak. I took the cover off and double checked. Everything looks fine on the gasket. The bail is quite tight. Should I try to shim the bail until the cover doesn’t move?
Mark Roth
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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#8 Post by Vic Skirmants »

When I install a valve cover, I push it up until it seats. This ensures the most gasket contact on the bottom. Subsequent installations also need to have the cover moved upward until it seats into the old gasket.

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Ron LaDow
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#9 Post by Ron LaDow »

Geoff Fleming wrote:...and they seem to last forever! Installed a set when Vic first produced them and still have them in use...no leaks , unlike the original gaskets.
+1
Don't know how many I've bought, but I've never bought replacements.
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Mark Roth
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#10 Post by Mark Roth »

I may have pushed the cover down, not up. Will check in a couple of weeks when I can get to it. Upon further thought, I may never have changed a gasket before the rebuild in 2012. Almost 20 years. Good product.
Mark Roth
65 C Cab (Black/black)

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Dave Wildrick
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Re: Newbie question - valve cover gaskets

#11 Post by Dave Wildrick »

Check how close the sheet metal immediately above the top of the valve cover is to the valve cover. In both of my C coupes (which both use Vic's steel-reinforced gaskets), this sheet metal rides low, and I usually have to push it up some before securing the valve cover with the bail. Obviously, you will get a leak if it puts too much downward pressure on the top of the valve cover.
Dave Wildrick
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