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426 hemi valve covers leaking? #2656995
05/19/19 07:37 PM
05/19/19 07:37 PM
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N.Y.
sixpacksteve Offline OP
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My car came with 2 cork gaskets on covers. i had to change the head gaskets so i put 2 new cork gaskets back twice and still won't stop leaking!
even put a little rtv. any suggestions?


Hell Hath No Fury Like Mine
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657000
05/19/19 07:58 PM
05/19/19 07:58 PM
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bboogieart Offline
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Why would it need 2 gaskets?
I have always used cork on valve covers.
Make sure everything is clean and flat.
Sometimes a little silly cone to fill gaps.
Cork is a soft materiel don't over tighten. up

Last edited by bboogieart; 05/19/19 08:01 PM. Reason: ?

I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: bboogieart] #2657002
05/19/19 08:07 PM
05/19/19 08:07 PM
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sixpacksteve Offline OP
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i was just coping what was on the car! and didn't want any problems.


Hell Hath No Fury Like Mine
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657009
05/19/19 08:16 PM
05/19/19 08:16 PM
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bboogieart Offline
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I understand.
Problem is you might have been copying a band aid.


I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657138
05/20/19 08:45 AM
05/20/19 08:45 AM
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Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
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I use the reinforcements around the bolt holes. They needed some slight modifications since they are meant for shivvies, but they helped. I have also had good luck using Superformance gaskets against the head with a cork/rubber gasket glued to them and against the cover. The cork tends to mash out around the thin head rail but the Superformance holds up there better. While the cork follows the contours of my steel valve covers better than the harder gaskets.

Typically Hemiroid, it takes $100 and a lot of work just to gasket the valve covers. And mine are pretty good, but are not bone dry.


Master, again and still
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657181
05/20/19 10:47 AM
05/20/19 10:47 AM
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TJP Offline
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Originally Posted by sixpacksteve
My car came with 2 cork gaskets on covers. i had to change the head gaskets so i put 2 new cork gaskets back twice and still won't stop leaking!
even put a little rtv. any suggestions?


1. Establish what area the leak(s) are coming from

2. Remove and check for the impression of the head seal in the bottom of the gasket. This can go a LONG ways towards identifying the problem / area

3 . Try setting the valve cover on the head without gaskets and "rocking" it Checking for flatness.

4. Check the areas surrounding the bolt holes as they sometimes get stretched ( depressed) from over tightening. If so re level using a small hammer and dolly.

Two gaskets are sometimes used because of a sealing problem or to allow additional rocker arm clearance. When doing so I always put sealer between the two.

Also might want to check and verify that you are not building too much crankcase pressure twocents beer

Last edited by TJP; 05/20/19 02:56 PM.
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: TJP] #2657230
05/20/19 01:13 PM
05/20/19 01:13 PM
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Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms Offline
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Right, first thing to do is try and figure out what problem was being addressed with the double gaskets; Rocker clearance from non-original rocker gear? Valve covers with deformed flanges or oversized holes, etc. If rocker clearance is ok with a single gasket go with a single new cork gasket, clean the flanges of the covers and the rails of the heads with a good solvent like acetone to get them clean and dry. I never use gasket sealer of any kind on either surface.

Trial fit the gaskets to get them seated well into the valve covers, place them on the heads and make sure the flanges and gaskets sit flat everywhere, the gaskets need to fit and follow the flanges, takes a bit of finesse sometimes. Tighten the bolts to just "snug" don't overtighten them! then follow around and snug them again, I generally grab the head of the ratchet and twist with my wrist rather than to go out on the handle adding a lot of torque. Once you fire and warm the engine go back and re-tighten all the nuts as the gaskets often get soft and leak after the first fire up. .02

Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657257
05/20/19 04:04 PM
05/20/19 04:04 PM
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Are these stock type stamp steel valve covers?
If so make sure the gasket surface the V.C. gasket seals against on your covers is flat and straight, no dents, low spots or high spots scope
Once you know more let us know what you find, them DANG HEMIROID motors can be a pain sometimes whistling grin
AKA aside, you can fix it up wrench


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: Cab_Burge] #2657296
05/20/19 07:03 PM
05/20/19 07:03 PM
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N.Y.
sixpacksteve Offline OP
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ok, will do! but should i use cork or felpro?


Hell Hath No Fury Like Mine
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657313
05/20/19 07:57 PM
05/20/19 07:57 PM
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Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms Offline
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Cork

Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657317
05/20/19 08:05 PM
05/20/19 08:05 PM
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Not rubber or neopreme only, maybe a mix of stiff cork and rubber work
How many different types of valve cover gaskets does Fel Pro offer now?


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: Cab_Burge] #2657670
05/21/19 06:22 PM
05/21/19 06:22 PM
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sixpacksteve Offline OP
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the covers look like an aftermarket chrome, i'm guessing the 2 gaskets were for clearance for stage v rockers.
as there were marks on inside of covers!
So No rtv Nothing?


Hell Hath No Fury Like Mine
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657706
05/21/19 07:18 PM
05/21/19 07:18 PM
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Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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Originally Posted by sixpacksteve
the covers look like an aftermarket chrome, i'm guessing the 2 gaskets were for clearance for stage v rockers.
as there were marks on inside of covers!
So No rtv Nothing?


Even with two gaskets there may still be clearance issues You have to identify where and why they are leaking.

Read the previous responses whistling beer

Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: sixpacksteve] #2657713
05/21/19 07:26 PM
05/21/19 07:26 PM
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Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
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No RTV. But I do use Hylomar A/F between the gaskets and between the gasket and valve cover. It is expensive, but there is nothing else like it.

https://www.amazon.com/Hylomar-Advanced-Formulation-oz-Tube/dp/B00XLWUVJY


Master, again and still
Re: 426 hemi valve covers leaking? [Re: DaveRS23] #2657805
05/21/19 11:08 PM
05/21/19 11:08 PM
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Posts: 42,714
Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms Offline
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Chrome, being a really slick surface, is leak prone. I usually sand away the chrome on the mating surfaces to get a better seal, this would also be a case where sealant might help, I second the Holmar AF is a good product for this.







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