Cork Valve Cover Gaskets Not Sealing on 69 L-46

[Guest]

I put a new set of Dr. Rebuild cork valve cover gaskets on my 69 L-46 and they leaked. I am getting ready to try again with another new set and am looking for advice.

The cork gaskets seem a little too wide on the side that goes toward the outside of the engine. Has anyone else had this problem and had to trim the gaskets to get them to fit? Should I use some gasket sealer this time? I just repainted the engine and got all the rust off the exhaust manifold so I would really like to stop the leak.

Thanks,
Allen

[Jim T.]

Re: Cork Valve Cover Gaskets Not Sealing on 69 L-4

How tight are you cinching down the valve cover bolts? Are the flanges of your vavle covers flat?

[John H.]

Re: Cork Valve Cover Gaskets Not Sealing on 69 L-4

It's essential to have the sealing surface on the valve covers both clean and perfectly flat, especially at the bolt hole locations; also helps to adhere the gaskets first to the covers with a bead of RTV (like Permatex Ultra-Copper) before you install them. Have always done this, have never had a leaker; doubt that the gaskets are contributing to your problem.

[Joe L.]

Re: Cork Valve Cover Gaskets Not Sealing on 69 L-4

Allen------

The gaskets should fit into the "channel" provided on the L-46 aluminum valve covers. Dr. Rebuild's gaskets usually fit perfectly in this channel (unlike many aftermarket and GM "6 hole" gaskets which must have part of the upper gasket trimmed away to fit L-46 valve covers).

Make sure that you tighten the bolts in a cross pattern AND that you don't overtighten them. The torque to be applied to these bolts is 55 pound/INCHES. That's not very much torque.

[Dennis D.]

Re: Cork Valve Cover Gaskets Not Sealing on 69 L-4

I had that problem on my 70 L-46. I used a 4 hole, (as original), double cork with a metal shim sandwiched in between, as per a Joe Lucia recommendation. I feel the extra thickness compensated for the irregularities of the aluminum covers. Solved the problem.

Think it's a fel pro gasket, maybe Joe will chime in.