Anyone using VS 50145 R Gaskets? I'm installing a set VS 50145 R on a 1969 Dodge 440 with stock valve covers. The Factory service manual reads 40 inch pounds of torque but the instructions that came with the gaskets reads 90 inch pounds of torque. Which torque spec should I use? Thank You

torque specs are for the most part for the gasket cuz it is what is being compressed. Go with the their 90 & crisscross multiple times coming up on it & 90 ain't a requirement, on VC's to some extent go with how it feels.

i always answer these questions thusly : "tork it up till it strips or breaks the fasteners, then, back it off 1/2 a turn. "
however you feel about this answer is ok by me.
in reality, on a valvecover gasket, i tighten those carefully, whether they are factory tin, cast, billet, or fabbed. i use a 1/4" ratchet with whatever is needed to access the retainers, then snug it good. observe it some, then go over it a few times until it doesn't weep, and stays dry.
what this does [for me anyway] is ensures the flanges don't get distorted, and you don't need gobs of sealant on the head side of the gaskets. this is just what i have done over the years, on all makes and brands of engines, and have found something that works for ME.
lots of guys have come to me asking to fix cracked or bent flanges, or remove broken bolts from the heads because of excess tightening.
do whatever works for YOU, but it won't hurt to sneak up on it instead of "crank it down till it strips or breaks, then back it off 1/2 a turn"

I would start with the factory spec and go from there. One has to be careful with the factory style covers as they will distort easily if over tightened. You can always tighten them more.

Use the 90 as the FelPro instructions say... and if possible, install some load-spreading washers (especially IF you're using the stamped steel valve covers... the thin metal tends to distort). IF you're using better thick cast aluminum aftermarket valve covers, then the load spread washers are not that critical.

The material of those gaskets is an extreme temperature resistant material because of the hi-rise and close proximity of the factory exhaust manifolds to the valve covers. These gasket are best for severe duty and heat resistance (trucks, emergency vehicles, etc).

I used to work as an engineer at Fel-Pro for many past years... I wrote the instructions and tested the gaskets, and designed quite a few, too.

What’s the difference in material between the Fel Pro 50145 R that most local jobbers sell and stock , and the Fel Pro 1612 as both are some kind of fiber

I have used both on factory straight and clean valve covers , and I definitely can recommend the one I wouldn’t use again on a factory valve cover

383/440 Magnums

So please tell which you wouldn't and why??? I'm about to use the 50145R which is my go to gasket for years.
Ron

Not that I've reattached that many, but I've never torqued a valve cover. If you want to use a torque I'd use the factory one as it probably takes into account how much torque would deform the area around the bolt. If it leaks, snug it up some more by feel.

I actually thought I'd try to call Fel Pro to see what they said, the tech I talked to was very nice but was surprised to hear that there were instructions for 90 inch lbs with them. He seem to think that they shouldn't of been in the box and told me I should torque to the factory spec of 40 inch lbs. I opened another box of gaskets that I have and there were no instructions in the newer box.
I'm not sure if they are going to seal anyway, seems as though the casting of the head is obstructing the valve cover flange that hangs down, so not letting the gasket get the proper pressure to seal, anyone else have this problem?

So would you share with us what gasket you would not use? Pretty please.

I have never used any silicone on a valve cover gasket honestly to prevent leaks

Now if you want to use a adhesive in a few spots to keep the gaskets in place on the factory valve covers that’s an option

Anyways

Fel Pro 1612 is a rubber coated fiber - They work extremely good , and I only hand tighten using a nut driver

Let them heat cycle a few times - Again hand tighten with a nut driver

They work and seal very well



Fel Pro VS 50145 is also a fiber , but man is it a rock hard material , I couldn’t get them to seal properly , I could see the high torque value with these gaskets as Mopar Mitch suggested just based on the hardness of the material if you read his post


Superformance carbon x valve cover gaskets work very well also


Some purists might not like any of these gaskets I mentioned on factory stock valve covers because none of these gaskets have the tabs

Just my opinion on all these gaskets I have tested on factory valve covers

Which is a better gasket to use with factory covers and factory HP exhaust manifolds seeing the high heat from the passenger side exhaust manifold? Fel Pro VS 50145 or Fel Pro 1612 or maybe silicone types like the Moroso Perm-Align 93055 gaskets?

I just got a set of the fel pro 1612 and they seem Identical to the VS50145 R , I was expecting a softer rubber with the 1612. Could I have gotten a set that was packaged wrong?