installation cork valve cover gasket

[Wayne P.]

I have in the past used 3m yellow glue sort of like contact cement on the valve cover to attach cork gasket.
It was mentioned to me that it would be better to put motor oil on them first ( soak ) wipe them off then place them on. This way when you take the covers off you can re use gasket and it leaves no mess. It was also mentioned to buy a cork gasket with a metal insert, What is the favorite or preferred way to install . Thanks for any responses.

[Larry M.]

Re: installation cork valve cover gasket

I have in the past used 3m yellow glue sort of like contact cement on the valve cover to attach cork gasket.
It was mentioned to me that it would be better to put motor oil on them first ( soak ) wipe them off then place them on. This way when you take the covers off you can re use gasket and it leaves no mess. It was also mentioned to buy a cork gasket with a metal insert, What is the favorite or preferred way to install . Thanks for any responses.

I use the DR REBUILD cork/composition gaskets. They are excellent.

Use 3M yellow adhesive on one side of the gasket and valve cover. Push them together. Then,let this assembly set up for awhile to get a good strong bond (30-60 minutes) and ensure the gasket will not slip/move. Then smear Vaseline or white grease on the remaining side of the gasket and on the head mounting surface. Bolt up the covers.....use care and DON'T wrench too tight. You can/should re-tighten the bolts after a few heat/cool cycles.

Gaskets come off later without issue or breakage.

Larry

[Duke W.]

Re: installation cork valve cover gasket

There are "gasket cements" that will probably perform better than the yellow glue, which is not formulated for engine temperatures and petroleum product exposure.

Use a gasket cement to secure the gaskets to the valve covers, then liberally wipe down the bottom of the gaskets with silicone spray lub, which will keep them from sticking to the head rails.

Torque screws to 40-50 inch pounds, and retorque once or twice more after several heat cycles.

Many leaks are caused by overtorqueing the screws.

Duke

[Joel F.]

Re: installation cork valve cover gasket

I use the DR REBUILD cork/composition gaskets. They are excellent.

Use 3M yellow adhesive on one side of the gasket and valve cover. Push them together. Then,let this assembly set up for awhile to get a good strong bond (30-60 minutes) and ensure the gasket will not slip/move. Then smear Vaseline or white grease on the remaining side of the gasket and on the head mounting surface. Bolt up the covers.....use care and DON'T wrench too tight. You can/should re-tighten the bolts after a few heat/cool cycles.

Gaskets come off later without issue or breakage.

Larry

I basically do the same thing, RTV on the valve cover side, and a coat of wheel bearing grease on the head side.

[Timothy B.]

Re: installation cork valve cover gasket

I used RTV ultra black to glue gaskets on the valve cover side then the next day coat with rtv again on the head side and the low corner on drivers side still has a leak. My covers are steel and don't put much pressure on the corners like the aluminum covers.

[Domenic T.]

Re: installation cork valve cover gasket

Along with the good sugustions here, I turn the steel covers over and tap them straight on a straight piece of steel, angle iron will work.

Then check them with a straight edge before gluing the gaskets on.

DOM

[Keith B.]

Re: installation cork valve cover gasket

I used a product called Indian Head Shellac that works great.