Home page

Valve Cover replacement

Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling

10 Messages
Page 1 of 1
Share:
Sponsored Content

Already a Member?

Welcome back! Access your account.

Sign In

Not yet a Member?

Join our community! Registration is free.

Join Free

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/3/09 6:23pmMessage 1 of 10
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Florence, KY - USA
Joined: 9/9/2007
Posts: 146
Vette(s): 1977 Coupe; yellow, 4 speed, one option car with original engine
At the risk of souning silly... I have purchased L82 valve covers to replace the leaking stamped steel covers on my L48. My questions are:
1: replace the gasket with cork or rubber
2: when I last did this, (a long time ago), we used Permatex; is the goo of choice now:
3: do I goo the head and the cover or only the cover?
current
1977 Coupe
 
gone but not forgotten
1996 Grand Sport
1984 coupe 
1974 coupe
1964 roadster

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support Vette Registry)

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/3/09 7:20pmMessage 2 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22716
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
My personal opinion is to install gaskets dry...no goop. I also prefer the cork style gaskets. If the head surface, and the valve covers are clean and dry, the cork gaskets will seal forever.
Others have different ways of doing it, any one of them will work.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/3/09 7:37pmMessage 3 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Don't over tigten them!! Especially cork gaskets - it doesn't take a lot to seal them.

LukesVette Homepage
Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
101st Airborne(AirAssault!)
God Bless America

Support Our Troops


     

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/4/09 3:23pmMessage 4 of 10
Profile Pic
Free Member
Send PM
WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA
Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131
Vette(s): Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed
Probably not according to Hoyle; but I used rubber gaskets with permatex on both sides and have not had a leak. I periodicaly check for tightness and have not had any leaks so far.
Pappy's Toy
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/4/09 4:29pmMessage 5 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
COPPERAS COVE, TX - USA
Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 475
Vette(s): 1972 corvette stingray convertible 2007 coupe
I install mine dry also, I'm using rubber gasket now so I can take them off for polishing. I just check the tork now and then and they are fine.
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/5/09 3:13pmMessage 6 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205
For the record......I do mine dry........unless you like the mess.........

corvette440hp
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/5/09 5:12pmMessage 7 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Klamath Falls, OR - USA
Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1062
Vette(s): 74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
Use mine dry too.  Usually use cork, but the last time I used rubber.  No problem.Thumbs Up

Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/6/09 10:33amMessage 8 of 10
Profile Pic
Free Member
Send PM
goldens bridge, NY - USA
Joined: 11/3/2003
Posts: 498
Vette(s): 1972 T-Top 350 auto, matching numbers,Blue, ac

Cork and Dry and NOT overtightened 

Never a leak and they come off without a problem - Cork seems to seal better on the head and the cover - IMO

Big Al


Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/6/09 11:04amMessage 9 of 10
T
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Elma, WA - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692
Vette(s): Red 1973 Convertible. L-48 Auto #'s matching Red 1970 LT-1 Convertible #'s matching
I used cork.
Also used a 3-M weather stripping Gasket adhesive on the valve cover side only.

When I tightened the covers I just hand tightened equally, (pretty snug) as it seemed that the ratchet was just too much.

How did I come up with the hand tight deal?
When I took off the passenger side I could loosen them by hand so I figured that was a good sign.

So far no leaks and for me the key was just taking the time to clean the surfaces real clean.
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Valve Cover replacement

Posted: 6/8/09 8:10pmMessage 10 of 10
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Florence, KY - USA
Joined: 9/9/2007
Posts: 146
Vette(s): 1977 Coupe; yellow, 4 speed, one option car with original engine
Great; thanks for the opinions, tips, and advice... sounds like dry cork to me!
current
1977 Coupe
 
gone but not forgotten
1996 Grand Sport
1984 coupe 
1974 coupe
1964 roadster

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Share:

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Sponsored Content