I was possibly going to finally take out my 73 Charger for an initial test drive today after I thought all the bugs were worked out. But the same problem that I had before wasn't fixed. The pass side valve cover is still leaking causing a bunch of smoke right away. I hammered the OEM valve covers back as flat as I could, used the Mr. Gasket reuseable gaskets and Copper RTV and it still leaked. However, the driver's side didn't leak which was initially the worst one. I intended to replace them with the cast aluminum MP valve covers but they wouldn't fit. I know I'll hate losing all the built in looms on the OEM valve covers but I need to replace these. What is the best sealing valve cover where I can still use the breather and PCV valve. I think I looked for one setup like OEM with the breather and oil cap on the same side and just PCV on the other but couldn't find one. Should I get the MP or DC chrome valve covers? Do they fit ok? Do I need the MP red silicone gasket?

Why wouldn't the alum MP covers fit? Keep in mind that chrome covers are harder to get to seal. If you use cast alum ones, you may need longer bolts.

I thought the MP black wrinkle covers would fit. But whoever here said they would hit the manifolds they sure did. I couldn't even install them. The chrome ones should definitely seal better than these original 30+ valve covers I would think. The passenger side one is leaking right on top of the manifold, you can see it come from the valve cover edge. It smokes too bad and it may cause a fire. I was wondering if I get a quality chrome valve cover like MP or Edelbrock would they have any fit problems. I would love some NOS 73+ valve covers but I don't know if there are anymore. I'd like to at least try and stay with some plain chrome or with the Mopar logo so it still looks stock or stock appearing.

There is no new stock replacement covers so either another set of used covers or scoring an NOS set are your only choices . I can't believe that if you put on a good gasket and RTV'd both sides of the gasket that it's still leaking unless you didn't allow the RTV to cure before firing it up or didn't clean the oil off the valve cover rails and the heads before install .

Are you using stock bolts? If you're using aftermarket ones, they may be too long.

That being said, why don't the MP covers fit?

I went thru the same problem of leaking valve covers with my wagon. My wagon was originally a 400, but now has a (stock) 440 in it with stock HP manifolds. The extreme heat kept warping the stock covers and baking the gasket out. I bought a pair of used M/T covers from Zippy, installed the factory breather and PCV (with baffles) and haven't had a problem since. Which is why I'm wondering why M/T covers fit for me, but the MP covers don't fit for you?

Yeah I was kinda mad the black wrinkle valve covers didn't fit. The edge of the valve cover was so thick it rubbed the back of the exhaust manifolds. I was so mad I tried one side and didn't even try the other side. I just boxed them up and took them back. I just think these original valve covers I have are just warped beyond saving no matter how much RTV or flattening you do to it. I just bought some decent chrome steel covers from Summit. When I last replaced the gaskets with the Ultra Seal and Copper RTV I threw out the bolts and added studs and nuts so it would be easier to put the gasket on. I didn't even start the engine up until a couple weeks after I did the gaskets. I did the cleanest installation I could because I didn't want to do it again. I did get the worst side to quit leaking, it doesn't leak at all. Just one side now. I want the absolute best gaskets you can get. The highest temp gaskets. I was going for these the Mopar Performance silicone gaskets: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DCC-4120101/

Are those the best? Or what about these? Never heard of the company but they look like they would be the strongest: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SCE-264078/

I have the sdame problem with my fabricated aluminum valve covers from 440 source. They worked fine with headers, but now that I have changed back to manifolds, they will not fit. Luckily, I have an old pair of Direct Connection chrome valve covers to try.

How about the new P4349633AB covers?

"Stamped from brand new tooling to ensure superior valve cover sealing around the cylinder head. High luster chrme finish with vintage "Direct Connection" logo. Package includes two chrome valve covers with built in baffles and rubber grommets."