Valve cover gasket material

[landrocket]

Has anyone switched from the old cork ones, or am I just behind the power curve on this? I just installed some rubber ones and noticed that the bails are alittle loose, I see that the thickness is a little bit thinner on the rubber ones. I took some hitemp tape and wrapped it around where they snap into place and it seems to work. Just wondering if anyone had this problem and what was the solution. TIA, Ron p.s. the reason is that I could not find the cork ones in town, and one broke causing oil to leak out and create a nice blue cloud on the way home today. LOL

[Steve Arndt]

I use the stock style gaskets that have more rubber pieces than cork by visual inspection. Dress both sides with permatex or something non hardening and they seal while being easy to remove/replace. Allow the gasket/sealant combination to setup on the cover before . This makes the seal re-usable 3 or 4 times.

[SCOTTRODS]

I use the stock style gaskets that have more rubber pieces than cork by visual inspection. Dress both sides with permatex or something non hardening and they seal while being easy to remove/replace. Allow the gasket/sealant combination to setup on the cover before . This makes the seal re-usable 3 or 4 times.

Ditto..... Keep a spare pair of Covers and clean them and prep them prior to the change over..... When you put 'em on, prep up the ones you took off..... I have about 10 sets of spare gaskets hanging around most of the time.... right now about 4 pairs.... need to buy some more..... They're cheap enough to just swap 'em every 3 r&r's.... or so.

[Lotrat]

I use cork with gaskacinch on the cover side. Nothing on the head. I use them til they leak.

[helowrench]

I "acquired" some 1/4" thick silicone foam rubber used in aircraft applications.
No clue how to source it again, but on the other hand, it has been on for 1.5 years, through 4 oil changes, and still no drips, no runs, no errors.

[Piledriver]

I "acquired" some 1/4" thick silicone foam rubber used in aircraft applications.
No clue how to source it again, but on the other hand, it has been on for 1.5 years, through 4 oil changes, and still no drips, no runs, no errors.

If it's the stuff I'm thinking of, it should last ~forever if it doesn't get cut.

There's similar feeling /looking red silicone closed cell foam material used for electronics, I've heard it called "Sorbothane" but Sorbothane is not silicone, it's more for vibration damping. OTOH it might work...

[SCOTTRODS]

I "acquired" some 1/4" thick silicone foam rubber used in aircraft applications.
No clue how to source it again, but on the other hand, it has been on for 1.5 years, through 4 oil changes, and still no drips, no runs, no errors.

Hadn't even given that a thought! But you can by a cheap silicon baking pan and cut your own if you like. This stuff is hard to cut though..... we use it for exhaust gaskets (sadly it comes "cut to shape" already) at work. Lasts about 3-5 years on exhaust applications before you start seeing some major deterioration. That's a lot of heat. The valve covers would last indefinitely, I'm sure.

[Piledriver]

Water jet will go through silicone foam like butter... Lot of waste just to make valve cover gaskets tho.
Strips of ~8mm wide (foam) material might easily form to the required shape, dab of RTV (+ drop of super glue?) at the top and done?

I think I know where a roll of it is, unless someone 5S'd it, it was left over material someone dumped on us...

[SCOTTRODS]

Water jet will go through silicone foam like butter... Lot of waste just to make valve cover gaskets tho.

I have to say.... for a one time purchase (Should last a lifetime on the valve cover application)..... not too much of a waste. Surely there is enough other stuff you could use the "drop" to seal.... I Would love to have an engine tin seal of silicon instead of the natural rubber or whatever the last ones I installed were made of.... they lasted a few years, but silicon would outlast the installation for sure.