68 BB valve cover gasket

[Tom B.]

What I'm doing is such a simple procedure that my problem has become ridiculous for me.

I replaced the valve cover gaskets on my 68 big block and the one on the right side keeps developing a leak around the middle lower two bolts (above the exhaust manifold). After tightening them down, to no avail, I've taken the cover off and found the gasket around these two bolts smashed to "Smitherenes".

I tried it again, (Twice, with 2 new gaskets!) adjusting my procedure to "not as tight" and even a uniform, cris-cross tightening pattern (At that point who knows what would work). Both times smashed and leaking. While I'm waiting for some new and correct gaskets to arrive, tell me WHAT is it that I'm doing, not doing, or need to try? Thanks in advance. Tom

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Hi Tom:

Try removing the valve cover yet again and place a straight edge on the under side gasket surface across the two bolt holes in question. If it rocks you have managed to overtigjten the cover to the point of warpage. Good Luck

Jerry

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Hi Tom:

Try removing the valve cover yet again and place a straight edge on the under side gasket surface across the two bolt holes in question. If it rocks you have managed to overtigjten the cover to the point of warpage. Good Luck

Jerry

[j. wright]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Tom- If the valve cover is distorted it should be repairable if it is a stamped steel cover. Using a hammer, a flat hard surface, or any other tools you feel would work, try to remove the depressed area around the mounting hole. The procedure isn't difficult, and by being patient and taking some care you should be able to have oil tight VC's. Have fun. J.Wright

[j. wright]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Tom- If the valve cover is distorted it should be repairable if it is a stamped steel cover. Using a hammer, a flat hard surface, or any other tools you feel would work, try to remove the depressed area around the mounting hole. The procedure isn't difficult, and by being patient and taking some care you should be able to have oil tight VC's. Have fun. J.Wright

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Thanks J.Wright and Jerry. The VC's are the originals, factory chrome in excellent shape (excepting the edge as you mentioned) and the "tab-wedges" under the bolts are correctly in place. I had suspected as much as a warped edge and I'll plan to insure it's "straightness" with the next set of gaskets.

I had also been told about "filling" the edge with a type of sealer and letting it set up overnight, but I was saving that as an "all-else-fails" kinda last resort.

If there are other recommendations to insure proper fit, tightness of bolts, or related info, while I'm waiting for delivery, I could listen to that as well. Thanks again. Tom

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Thanks J.Wright and Jerry. The VC's are the originals, factory chrome in excellent shape (excepting the edge as you mentioned) and the "tab-wedges" under the bolts are correctly in place. I had suspected as much as a warped edge and I'll plan to insure it's "straightness" with the next set of gaskets.

I had also been told about "filling" the edge with a type of sealer and letting it set up overnight, but I was saving that as an "all-else-fails" kinda last resort.

If there are other recommendations to insure proper fit, tightness of bolts, or related info, while I'm waiting for delivery, I could listen to that as well. Thanks again. Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Tom----

As the other responders have mentioned, your problem is almost certainly a distorted valve cover. Using the sealer "trick" which has been mentioned to you will not solve this problem; if you were deforming the gasket without the sealer, you'll be deforming it with the sealer.

As has been suggested, you need to check the valve cover gasket surface with a straight edge. If warped, straigten as others have instructed. Also, check the head gasket surface to insure that no residual gasket material remains there. I hope that you've already done this.

Lastly, and the most important point that I'll offer, make sure that you don't overtighten the valve cover retaining bolts. These bolts are to be tightened to 50 lb/inches. That is NOT VERY MUCH torque. If you don't have a "feel" for how little this is, use a LOW RANGE torque wrench. And, when you feel how little torque this is, DON'T say to yourself "that can't be right" and tighten them further.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Tom----

As the other responders have mentioned, your problem is almost certainly a distorted valve cover. Using the sealer "trick" which has been mentioned to you will not solve this problem; if you were deforming the gasket without the sealer, you'll be deforming it with the sealer.

As has been suggested, you need to check the valve cover gasket surface with a straight edge. If warped, straigten as others have instructed. Also, check the head gasket surface to insure that no residual gasket material remains there. I hope that you've already done this.

Lastly, and the most important point that I'll offer, make sure that you don't overtighten the valve cover retaining bolts. These bolts are to be tightened to 50 lb/inches. That is NOT VERY MUCH torque. If you don't have a "feel" for how little this is, use a LOW RANGE torque wrench. And, when you feel how little torque this is, DON'T say to yourself "that can't be right" and tighten them further.

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Thanks Joe. Maybe I didn't research my references enough but I had a little difficulty finding a ft/in torque for valve covers. I appreciate the extra info.

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 BB valve cover gasket

Thanks Joe. Maybe I didn't research my references enough but I had a little difficulty finding a ft/in torque for valve covers. I appreciate the extra info.