'86 Rocker Arm Cover gaskets

[Art B.]

I have an early '86 with cast iron heads. The rocker arm covers were leaking (which is typical) so I decided to replace the gaskets. On the left side, I noticed small metal o-rings around the studs next to the head surface. The right side had none. The holes in the gasket are too small to fit around these rings and I can't see why they would be necessary. Are they?
Also, some manuals suggest using high temp RTV on the surfaces of the cover and the gasket while others say not to use any sealer. What's best?
By the way, I'll take removing rocker arm covers on a C-1 any day to removing them on a C-4!

[Joe L.]

Re: '86 Rocker Arm Cover gaskets

Art-----

The rocker arm cover retention/sealing system for a 1986 with cast iron heads consisted of 4 components: studs, nuts, cover gaskets, and washers. That's it; there were no other componets in the system.

The only original parts that even remotely are as you described are the washers. I believe that these are installed between the valve cover and the retaining nut but I'm not 100% sure. These washers are GM #14094717. They currently list for $3.84/each, so they aren't what you'd call inexpensive (for a washer).

In my opinion (and that of GM), the use of sealer on these gaskets will serve no purpose, do no good, and may cause other problems. Personally, I wouldn't use it. These gaskets were designed to seal without sealer and they should. If they don't, I don't think that the addition of sealer will help that.

[Art B.]

Re: '86 Rocker Arm Cover gaskets

Thanks, Joe
I don't know where the little metal O-rings around the studs came from. I sure didn't put them there and I bought the car new. The washers over the cover and under the retaining nuts appear to be aluminum and are about the diameter of the nut. I will not be using sealer on the gaskets.

[Joe L.]

Re: '86 Rocker Arm Cover gaskets

Art-----

All that I could imagine is that the metal o-rings were some sort of a manufacturing aid.