On the instructions for the felpro rubber gaskets - it says NOT to use gasket sealer. I know this causes the gasket to slip, but they leak like crazy! I need to use something on them to stop the seeping oil onto the manifolds. What is out there that is best to use?
Funny you should mention that. I just changed the cork gaskets that didn't leak for the Felpro gaskets and they leaked oil all over my new headers.:stmad: I took the drivers side back off and used a skim coat of black rtv on it, so far so good.
what are the felpro 350 gaskets made of? i know they aren't cork. they're slightly slippery, but they're more composite-looking than the rubber oil pan or valve cover gaskets i've seen. absolutely no leaks on my engine with stock covers...
My LeSabre had a 350 and I used the felpros on it. They seemed like the normal rubber gaskets I see anywhere else. That's what I've got on this car which are leaking badly. So here I go again pulling the covers off again.
Adam, All i ever use is the cork gaskets. For the last 30 years ! Make sure all bolt holes in the covers are flattened back down. Spray both sides of the cork gasket with permatex gasket SPRAY ! Put on as directed on can , You should be fine. Tighten with a 1/4 inch rachet till snug . Then about a 1/4 turn more ,check them when the engine gets warm. Put away that 1 inch drive rachet !:laugh: Good Luck !:TU: :TU:
You mean the head torque ratings aren't what I'm supposed to be using for valve covers??? Oh jeez...I'm in trouble now.
So they're really supposed to go THROUGH the covers. Now I know whay they leak. I wasn't getting them tight enough.
I think most of my problem is the fact that the idiot former owner tightened them too tight in the first place causing the covers to warp some. I will find him and warp him.:grin:
I have a brand new set of Fel-Pro rubber gaskets that came with the kit, and I still bought a separate set of Cork. If don't have everything perfect, the rubber will leak. The cork can conform to the imperfections better. I use Victor gaskets. Got my last set for $13.
Cork.....for me. No perma goop at all and you can re-use them with a simple wipe down with a paper towel have Had the rubber in the past and am never going back to them
Glad I saw this thread. The rubber ones on my old 79 Buick 350 always leaked bad but I may not have flattenned the covers enough. My 72 Sportwagon is leaking bad (amoung other probs...oil sending unit bad/oil light flicker at low rpms, noisy lifters, control arm probs etc). Our plan for this car was to have Jim Burek r&r motor or drop in 455 but now thanks to spending mucho $mackers on emergency home repairs I am broke and can only replaice valve cover gaskets....the $13 Victor cork ones sound pretty good to me! Better to be broke and still own a couple of fine Buick automobiles then ...oh I dunno....somthing else! chris
I always used to use cork with permatex on the valve cover side and a skimming of axle grease on the head side. Made it real easy to pop the valve covers on and off and as much as I used to work on that old bird, that came in handy LOL
Hey Chris, Those Victor gaskets I got were for the 455. Don't know what the 350 ones cost, gotta be about the same though. The guy I bought them from runs a local auto parts store that my brother, a good friend and me patronize. The guy who owns it usually cuts us a break and sometimes charges us what he pays for it. Like he did with these gaskets. I wouldn't expect to pay more than $15, though.
