valve cover gasket

[Falke401]

i just put some new valve cover gaskets on today. the passenger side is good but the driver side leaks really bad. could i have put that one on wrong or something? any tips on getting them on right? by the way it is a 1986 GT. thanks

 

[HISSIN50]

what kind/style of gaskets? the rubber one with metal encapsulated in them are pretty nice. are you sure it did not slip? sometimes a little hylomar (non hardening) is nice to keep them from walking on ya.
good luck.

 

[Falke401]

i got the felpro ones that are rubber and metal in the middle, it may have slipped, but if it did, how could i get the bolts in, it must have slipped a lot or something. i probably wont be able to work on it till maybe sunday night, probably tues though

 

[HISSIN50]

not sure what to tell ya - i cant see it (like that would help. LOL). i agree, you would have had to miss by a bunch (very unlikely), but it happens (just did for me on a auto trans pan. i was too lazy to tack the gasket and it slipped on the back side).

do the gaskets have the metal sleeves in the bolt bosses? if so, they are real idiot proof - hard to overtighten the fasteners and squish the gasket (something to probably rule out, if so). just pull it and check. good luck bud.

 

[Falke401]

i think they have the sleeves, i have never really worked on a motor and taking the valve covers off is the farthest i've ever been in a motor. knowing me, the chances are pretty good that the gasket is off. it has to be because oil was coming out at a pretty good rate, not gushing or anything, but a steady trickle. what do you use to tack the gasket to the head? where can i get some? because of the mess i am in now, it might be a good idea to get some of that stuff

 

[Peg8687]

just some BLue RVT Sealant...Formagasket, Permatex, its all the same

 

[bluevenom867]

Are your valve cover completely flat on the bottom?If they have just one bump they will leak.

 

[HISSIN50]

what do you use to tack the gasket to the head? where can i get some? because of the mess i am in now, it might be a good idea to get some of that stuff

give yourself credit bud - im sure you did fine. i consider myself a decent wrench and i did the same

remember, your gaskets are reusable. so i personally would not use a hardening product like RTV. that is why i suggested Permatex hylomar; it stays tacky. so in the future your gasket will come back off w/o tearing.

if you have something the same size as the bolt shanks, but with no heads, you can toss those in the bosses (holes) in the head. then slide the gaskets onto the head. then slip the valve covers on (over the shanks or whatever you use). pull the shank one at a time as you install the bolts. this should keep it all lined up.

hylomar should work fine though. good luck.

 

[Black1987Stang]

you probably just didnt get the screw through the gasket, before u put the screw in, check to make sure you can see the hole of the gasket so u no the gasket is in between the head and the valve cover.