Fel Pro Valve Cover Gaskets Painted side ?

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello ,
  i purchased a set of Fel Pro Valve cover Gaskets . One side has painted strips the other side is plain . Does it matter what side goes down on the Block   ?  Painted or non painted ?

  Bill

[Dave Shepherd]

No.

[Jeff Wilk]

Here is an add on question. When installing new Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets what should you use if you also want to put adhesive or other sealer on them?  I know they should not need any but they always seem to leak just a little bit of oil at the back corners. So why not do it now?

Jeff

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Thanks David,
    Good question Jeff . I am also interested in other club members opinions on the sealant .

  Bill

[TJ Hopland]

Permatex High Tach is/was a common one.   Its a red film vs a thick RTV.

[R Schroeder]

I have always used clear silicone. I mount the gaskets on the valve covers , after applying some to the gasket ,  and let them sit over night. I then put some on the underside the next day and mount them.
Just my 2 cents.
Roy

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello ,
   There is so many differant opinion on the sealant . Even when you ask people at the auto store . so many products on the market that claim to do the job . I guess you have to break it down to cork and lean towards a permenate seal . once you install a set of valve covers on a mid 50's Cadillac ,i would think the person would except those covers to be on few years . some claim adhesive spray , permitex # 2 , Red permitex ,  Black RTV  , Silicon ,  etc ,etc , etc Some say don't use any thing at all .  but i do appreciate everyones experiences on this matter . ( I do not like oil leaks  or the smell of oil burning )

     decisions , decisions ,
                     Bill

[Classic]

My favorite is http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_Permatex_Ultra_Black_Maximum_Oil_Resistance_RTV_Silicone_Gasket_Maker.htm .  Spread a thin coat on both sides of the gasket.  Make sure the valve cover flange is straight and flat - no waviness.  Hammer it flat and straight if needed.  Make sure the mounting surfaces of the valve cover and the head are clean and dry - wipe with mineral spirits or lacquer thinner.

[R Schroeder]

Bill, Most of them are silicone based products. I'm sure any of them will work for you.
Roy

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

Fel Pro, I believe, has a toll free tech number. Ask them.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello ,
  I used the Permatex® Ultra Black® Maximum . I will report back in a few weeks . Thanks for all the help . Classic you are probably right about the majority of products . however the most important step is  to make sure the surfaces are good , straight ,  clean and oil free at the time of assembly .

  Bill

[Jay Friedman]

A week ago I noticed both valve covers on my '49 were leaking at the lower rear corner.  My mistake was that after a recent valve job the previous gaskets "looked good", so I re-used them.  Took off the valve covers to find: 1. the gaskets were flattened somewhat from years of use; 2. testing with a straight edge showed the valve covers were bent up slightly at both ends; 3. the areas under the screws were also flattened.  2. and 3. were, I think, because of overtightening of the 4 screws.  The engine slopes backwards slightly, so oil from the rocker arms accumulates at the lower rear corner of the top of the head around the drain hole at that location, therefore the leaks. 

Took the covers to a friend, Art Gardner, who has body work skills that I do not, and he was able to straighten the covers.  Bought new gaskets only to find them shrunk slightly from being on the shelf too long.  Yesterday put them in a towel folded up once over which I poured boiling water.  (The towel kind of distributes the water evenly.)  After 2 pourings and 30 minutes or so the gaskets were back to normal. 

Art recommended Permatex Ultra Blue RTV Silicone Gasket Maker, which I applied to the gasket surface of the valve covers only, not the heads.  I laid the valve covers upside down on the bench with the screws in place to partially hold them and put some weights on the gaskets for 30 minutes or so until the silicone dried a bit and the gaskets stuck to the cover.  Then re-installed the covers on the motor.  As per the Permatex instructions I re-tighened the 4 screws after an hour or so to compensate for the gaskets "settling".  Instructions also said the silicone takes 24 hours to "cure", so haven't started the motor yet.  It should be OK.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Usually, I put some sealer (no RTV, I hate silicon) on the cover, assemble the whole on the heads, the 4 screws not tighted too much. After some use, I retorque a bit the screws. With this method, I can remove the covers and reinstall them without a leak. Of course, the covers must be straight.