Which 455 Valve Cover Gasket is Best? Material, Thickness?

EDIT: I have Edelbrock aluminum heads and steel/chromed valve covers...

Replaced the passenger VC and the new 1/4" cork Fel-Pro replacement gasket leaked.

Noticed the old cork gasket was at least 5/16" thick, but can't be sure they just didn't swell over the years.

Just ordered 5/16" cork gaskets from TA Performance.

Will these work well?

Suggestions...

 

I've used both thicknesses with success. You should be fine, if using stock steel covers, make sure the bolt holes are straight and not bent downward. I had that issue.

 

Chris - did you put anything on the gasket or did you install it dry?

 

Mechanic installed dry (the only way to install, correct?)...Installed with the bolt/spacer combo.

I have a 5/16" cork set coming this weekend from TA Performance. Will walk it to the shop and put my eyes on the VC myself.

After buying these I found out they also have a 3/8" cork and a rubberized/metal framed gasket as well.

Trick is, TA Performance has limited shipping options and it takes a while to get them without paying $200/shipping...

 

Cometic steel core C15579 is best IMO. Pricey tho.....$40.....each!

Next Edelbrock steel reinforced 7546. $40 a pair

 

Cometic steel core C15579 is 0.188" (3/16") thick (made to order - 5 week production time) - $58.30
Edelbrock steel reinforced 7546 is ONLY 0.156" (5/32") thick (at least two weeks) - $34.95
TA Performance TA_1702-455D thick nitrile rubber molded around a steel spine 0.188" (3/16") - $60.00

 

YAASSS

 

The cometic/TA steel core rubber gasket is only designed to be used on Cast aluminum covers. Had a customer try them on his stamped covers when they first came out, they leaked right in the middle on the bottom.. the cover bends before you can put enough force on them to compress them properly so they seal.

For Stamped steel covers I have had the best luck with the new Edelbrock 7546. First cork/rubber gasket I have ever installed dry, and had them not leak. Next choice would be any of the TA or Fel Pro cork gaskets, with sealer.

JW

 

For a stamped steel cover the TA thick corks are the way to go. For the aftermarket aluminum covers the composite gasket is tits n beers! For covers that were more problematic I had to resort to using these gimmicks which did work .

 

I would use a good cast alum valve cover instead of the weak flexible steel ones.

 

Okay, bear with me, I have aftermarket chrome VC's from TA Performance (and Edelbrock Performer #60049 aluminum heads).

http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1329A

They VC's seem heavy duty and not flimsy at all - Are they stamped steel?

Should I just get the JUMBO size 3/8" cork gasket...

 

The valve covers you Linked to are stamped steel…..

 

So I should just try the largest cork gaskets possible - 3/8"...

 

Nah, the stock cork gaskets should work fine. If you had leakers either your covers are deformed or the bolts were improperly tightened. Too much torque or not enough gives the same results.

 

You need sealer with cork.

 

Do you mean permatex slathered on the cork as a sealer?

 

I'll glue the gasket to the VC, place it on a bench with some weight on top until dry then install on the heads dry and tighten her down

 

That's the way I did mine with the stock, stamped valve covers, a few months back. No leaks so far. I think I used a thin smear of "Right Stuff" that I had left over from the timing cover replacement, around the front and back edges, and around the bolt holes. I also used the thicker FelPro gaskets and torqued to the spec in the manual.