Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealant (RTV)

[Larry E.]

Doing a little engine redo on a 66 Base Engine(L75). Got a nice set of Valve Covers(Long Island Corvette) and
thinking the RTV sealer should only be applied between the V.C. and the Cork Gasket. Correct? I assume there
is no sealer applied between the Gasket to the Head. Correct? What type of sealer should I use? Thanks in advance>
Larry

[Edward J.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

Larry, if your using a aluminum cover I just use a skim coat of 3m yellow weatherstrip adhesive. if you are using tin covers I use peratex right stuff also just a skim coat. the tin covers are a tuff seal sometimes, if you skim coat the both sides of the gasket at the bottom and sides it will help. Oil always seems to leak at the bottom rear corners. Let the sealant set up overnight.

[Larry E.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

Larry, if your using a aluminum cover I just use a skim coat of 3m yellow weatherstrip adhesive. if you are using tin covers I use peratex right stuff also just a skim coat. the tin covers are a tuff seal sometimes, if you skim coat the both sides of the gasket at the bottom and sides it will help. Oil always seems to leak at the bottom rear corners. Let the sealant set up overnight.

Thanks Ed for the response. My V.C. are the "Tin Type". Took a look at the reviews on the Permatex Right Stuff and found that the
product is good but>>container/dispenser doesn't work well to get the product out. Don't need a big quantity of it. How do you buy
yours? I see there is various dispensers. Thanks-Larry

[Duke W.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

In addition to using a gasket cement to attach the gaskets to the valve covers, I recommend wiping the underside of the gasket with silicone spray lube. This will make the cover easier to remove, and even cork gaskets can usually be removed once or twice before a new gasket is needed. This is probably more important on mechanical lifter engines since the covers need to be removed occasionally for valve clearance checks.

Duke

[Gary B.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

You can buy it in Small caulk tubes (1/2 tubes) for around 10-15 dollars. It's easier to use, more dependable than the pressurized squirt cans.


Just keep the tip sealed.

[Jim L.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

Thanks Ed for the response. My V.C. are the "Tin Type". Took a look at the reviews on the Permatex Right Stuff and found that the
product is good but>>container/dispenser doesn't work well to get the product out. Don't need a big quantity of it. How do you buy
yours? I see there is various dispensers. Thanks-Larry

The aerosol dispenser works very well. Using it you can lay down a uniform bead of sealer every time.

I use Right Stuff to adhere the gasket to the valve cover. I also coat the interior edge and the bottom surface of the cork gasket with Right Stuff just in case there is any porosity in the cork.

This is certainly not the only method for sealing valve cover gaskets. It is a method with which I have had 100% success.

Jim

[Frank D.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

I use the thicker FelPro cork gaskets with Right Stuff between the gasket and valve cover. FelPro makes two thicknesses.... I spray some PAM outdoor barbecue grill non-stick coating on a fingertip and wipe it along the ridge on the heads. I get a half-dozen remove and install cycles out of the arrangement...

[Larry E.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

[QUOTE=Jim Lockwood (2750);849890]The aerosol dispenser works very well. Using it you can lay down a uniform bead of sealer every time.

I use Right Stuff to adhere the gasket to the valve cover. I also coat the interior edge and the bottom surface of the cork gasket with Right Stuff just in case there is any porosity in the cork.

Thanks to all that has responded>Question For Jim Lockwood> I noticed there are two aerosol cans for the Right Stuff>85224 and 85144. Which one do you use? Also does the can have enough aerosol to empty all of the product or do you end up throwing a good
portion away?? Thanks--Larry

[Keith B.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

I always use Permatex 20539 Indian head gasket shellac to glue the gasket onto the valve cover

[Mark E.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

I always use Permatex 20539 Indian head gasket shellac to glue the gasket onto the valve cover

That's old school stuff. I thought it was intended for hose connections and non-porous surfaces.

A couple of folks recommended Permatex The Right Stuff. How does it compare to Permatex #2? (Which is what I use for VC gaskets.)

[Keith B.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

That's old school stuff. I thought it was intended for hose connections and non-porous surfaces.

A couple of folks recommended Permatex The Right Stuff. How does it compare to Permatex #2? (Which is what I use for VC gaskets.)

[Jim L.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

Question For Jim Lockwood> I noticed there are two aerosol cans for the Right Stuff>85224 and 85144. Which one do you use? Also does the can have enough aerosol to empty all of the product or do you end up throwing a good
portion away?? Thanks--Larry

I've use the black Right Stuff exclusively.

The gray Right Stuff (85144) is a new one on me. I didn't know it existed.

I can't answer your question about the aerosol capability. A single can has more than enough for a complete engine build. Typically I don't assemble engines often enough to go back and use up the rest of the previous can. I always start with a fresh can.

A couple of folks recommended Permatex The Right Stuff. How does it compare to Permatex #2? (Which is what I use for VC gaskets.)

There is no comparison to Permatex #2. They are totally different substances.

Right Stuff seems to be sort of a rubber material, but not like silicone sealers. #2 is just sticky goo and filler.

Right Stuff can be applied and the part put back into service immediately^*1. With #2, you ought to let it dry.

Right Stuff can serve as an adhesive; it sticks tenaciously. #2 .... not so much.

Right Stuff is expen$ive. #2.... not so much.

Hope this helps,
Jim


*1 - At Laguna Seca, my bride came in with oil all over the windshield. A valve cover gasket had let go. I cleaned the valve cover, applied Right Stuff and a new gasket, moooshed it back on (technical term), cleaned the windshield, and my bride went back out. No leaks. No problems.

[Edward J.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

Guys, I have run my own automotive shop for 31 years, over the years sealing science has evolved and The Right stuff is all I use in my shop when the engine does not use gaskets, it has quick set properties which is what I need, most RTV sealants really need 24hrs to fully cure. It can also be used along with gaskets to aid in sealing. Our old school cork and paper gaskets really need help. If you are dealing with a small block aluminum SHP motor where you are pulling the covers for valve adjustment I WOULD NOT PUT ON THE BOTTOM OF GASKET(engine side). when fully set it will need to use a little prying to release.

[Larry E.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

FWIW>Thanks for all the response. After reading them I still not sure on what to purchase. There are many/many reviews on this
product. Many are like the following>

1.0 out of 5 starsGreat product, TERRIBLE PACKAGING
June 15, 2015Size: Pack of 1Style: 7.5 oz. PowerBead
Absolutely awesome product that comes in an absolutely terrible package. Consider it one-time use. Totally ridiculous and wasteful.

It seems to many it is a one-time use.(REGUARDLESS OF THE DISPENSER) It comes down to this with many of the sealers/glues(super glue)>

THE PRODUCT ENGINEERS ARE DECADES AHEAD OF THE DISPENSING ENGINEERS!!

THANKS AGAIN-LARRY

[Jim L.]

Re: Current thinking on S/B/C Valve Cover Sealent(RTV)

FWIW>Thanks for all the response. After reading them I still not sure on what to purchase.

You can always buy Right Stuff, try it and see if it works for you. If it doesn't work out, you've learned what not to use.


FWIW.... I read a few of those 1 star reviews. Some of the writers had trouble assembling a coherent sentence using actual nouns and verbs.

Jim