OE heads and valve covers, cork gaskets...........

Do you use RTV on both sides or just to the valve cover and dry to the head? What works best? Thank you!

I use nothing. Just make sure you dont have a bent valve cover, use the right hardware and tighten everything in sequence.

What sequence? Just torque them in order?

I assume you are kidding. Always start from the inside out.

Peen your covers and check for straightness...


You'll get longevity out of a high-temp gasket...

I straighten the valve covers real good and then glue the gasket to it.It helps if you have an extra cyl.head around as you can lightly bolt it on and let the glue dry overnite.

Learn from my mistakes.... go with Superformance gaskets. The only set that seal 100% and last a long time. Instructions on torque and how to apply are included. Highly recommended.

Over the last 30 yrs. of running Mopar big blocks, I've only had cork gaskets work for me consistently. I've had trouble sealing all the 1/2-dozen other types I've tried. I do like to use a little adhesive/RTV to hold them in place on the valve covers during installation, but not necessary (just keeps gasket from slipping and keeps holes lined up).

I second this. I used Superformance Carbon-X gaskets the last time I had my covers off and it is the first time that I've ever had no leaks at all; they've been on for over a year. I used their pan gaskets too with a windage tray and had the same results, The whole engine is completely dry which I've never had with any gaskets I've used before. Some weep just a little oil but, I always had at least some small leak.

I will never use another gasket for these areas.

As a historical note, correct me if I'm wrong, I think the cork composite gaskets came along long after most of these cars were built.