Valve Cover cork gasket (Page 2/4)
IMSA GT JUL 28, 03:41 PM
Normally I would say "Try it out. What's the worst that could happen, a little leak and you have to redo them again?)

But then I always remember the front cover sits nicely over the exhaust catalyst so any major leaks could end up with a fire.
Patrick JUL 28, 05:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cruzenoob:

I can order a new pair, but it takes time again and from Rockauto to my location it will be around 60€ just for the valve cover gasket. (Keep in mind for our standards that is a lot of money)



So you're saying the shipping fee to Austria is €47.76 ($51.86US) for a set of €12.24 ($13.31US) valve cover gaskets?
1985 Fiero GT JUL 28, 06:58 PM
From what I remember doing mine just a few months ago, the head sealing surface is flat, with a groove on the valve cover, the rubber seals look like an upside down T , the point to go into the groove, and a flat base to extend out between the edge of the groove and the head (I can see the blue of the rubber gasket showing all the way around between head and cover with my engine assembled). With those cork gaskets, it would pinch those down a little (likely not enough to seal) and be sitting metal on metal between valve cover and head. Furthermore the bolts used have built in spacers, which won't let the covers be over torqued, also means without the added height of the rubber gaskets, they will be loose.
pmbrunelle JUL 28, 08:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cruzenoob:
I did read it, and I get it there is a groove. I would never be able to put it inside unless I cut it carefully. It is not normally made for it, but what I want to know is WHY won't it work. Is it the material?



The cork gasket cannot function because there is a groove in the valve cover.

A gasket needs to be squeezed on both sides to seal. With the groove, the gasket is not squeezed.
pmbrunelle JUL 28, 08:34 PM
If getting the rubber gaskets is out of the question, then I think you should try an RTV-only solution, filling the groove with RTV and leaving enough of a bead to touch the cylinder head and intake.

With RTV, it is a good idea to let the RTV partially cure before fully tightening the screws.
Patrick JUL 28, 09:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:

If getting the rubber gaskets is out of the question, then I think you should try an RTV-only solution...



That's a good suggestion. It's what was used to seal the new oil pan on my Subie. (No other gasket was required.) If it seals well enough in that application (which it has), sealing valve covers should be fine. Small blobs of RTV need to be put under the valve cover gaskets where the heads meet the lower intake plenum anyway... so yeah, why not dispense with the gaskets altogether and just use quality RTV.

I used Permatex Ultra Grey for my Subie's oil pan.

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-28-2024).]

Vintage-Nut JUL 29, 11:07 AM
You Have a Choice: Properly or Not.

To me, find the right gaskets and start with calling Local Auto Shops.

If Local Auto Shop will not stock or order the correct set; then look on Amazon / Summit / Jegs / Rock Auto or search FEL-PRO VS50077R gaskets for the 'cheapest' shipping to Austria

Or "Mickey Mouse" it by squeezing tubes of RTV......this is your decision.
Patrick JUL 29, 03:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by Vintage-Nut:

Or "Mickey Mouse" it by squeezing tubes of RTV......this is your decision.



Just in case you might think that using RTV as a sealer is "Mickey Mouse" in any/all applications, this is how it's now done in the factory with many manufacturers/components... and it's been done in this manner for quite some time. The oil pan on my '98 JDM Subie was sealed at the factory with RTV. When I replaced the oil pan with a newer design, I again used RTV to seal it. I suspect that most anywhere that a "rubber" gasket has been used, the correct RTV for the application would work just as well.
Vintage-Nut JUL 29, 04:14 PM
Apples vs Oranges

No Patrick, I did NOT say using RTV as a sealer is "Mickey Mouse" in any/all applications.

This discussion IS for valve rocker cover gaskets.

Oil pans are a different animal than valve rocker covers which the factory commonly uses 'normal' gaskets......

On my Fiero - I properly use the obtainable gaskets

Your Fiero, feel free to use RTV.....

quote
Patrick:
so yeah, why not dispense with the gaskets altogether and just use quality RTV.

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 07-29-2024).]

pmbrunelle JUL 29, 04:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
Just in case you might think that using RTV as a sealer is "Mickey Mouse" in any/all applications, this is how it's now done in the factory with many manufacturers/components... and it's been done in this manner for quite some time. The oil pan on my '98 JDM Subie was sealed at the factory with RTV. When I replaced the oil pan with a newer design, I again used RTV to seal it. I suspect that most anywhere that a "rubber" gasket has been used, the correct RTV for the application would work just as well.



RTV cures with exposure to air. When a bead is thick, the RTV near the centre can only cure by breathing through the thickness of the RTV surrounding it. In general, there is a maximum joint thickness that is recommended for a given RTV product.

In this case, in the groove, there is a "dead end" of RTV with little air exposure. This area may not cure properly.

A joint that is designed for RTV will not have a dead-end like this.

RTV on the Fiero V6 valve cover remains a "Mickey Mouse" solution; I suggested it as the least bad alternative that OP can try since using the correct gaskets appears to be a no-go.