C2 Aluminum Valve Cover Gasket Preferences

[Frederick H.]

So far I have looked at the cork valve cover gaskets from Zip (back-ordered) and Corvette Central and those listed by Fel-Pro (5/32 & 7/32). I also called Fel-Pro about their Cork-LAM gaskets # 1604. Has anyone had good/bad results from any of these? Suggestions regarding thickness?

Thanks in Advance.
Fred

[Don H.]

Suggest standard cork gasket from NAPA.. Permatex to attach it. Cheap and easy.

[John F.]

Cork all the way.

[Terry M.]

Fred,
Cork is the way to go. If you wish, go to my TDB post from January 1, 2021 Re: Fel Pro Valve Cover Gasket for background info of how I install the gaskets. I’m sure there are many ways to skin this cat (successfully) but what I have outlined has worked well for me on street cars and race cars. Good luck!

[Gary B.]

Fred,

The Fel-Pro 1604 are literally twice as thick as the standard cork gaskets. They are about 0.313” thick before they are compressed. I tried using the 1604 gaskets along with some Arp valve cover bolts with a reduced hex head so as to not scratch the valve covers with the socket, but the Arp bolts weren’t long enough because the gaskets were so thick. If you have aftermarket rocker arms that are taller than normal, you might want the extra clearance height that the 1604 gasket offers. I went back to the standard thickness composite cork gaskets.

Gary

[Frederick H.]

Thanks all - will keep it simple with the cork and some good old Permatex Indian Head Shellac gasket sealer.