Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Dorman usually translates to "OK last resort. Find something else if possible, even if you have to pay more money"
...paraphrasing, but it's something like that.
As much as I hear chatter about these valve covers leaking, I wouldn't even consider a Dorman for something like this.
How did you seal the valve covers?I’ve had all sorts of problems with leaks. Last time I installed a GM Original and it is still leaking, though much less. I recently bought the Leroy valve cover girdle kit. Should probably buy two new valve covers for when I do the job. Really getting tired of the leaking blood trail, though it is not that bad now.
How did you seal the valve covers?
Have you run synthetic oil?When my motor was getting rebuilt, the valve cover edges were a bit upturned from removal. So, first I had them media blasted and then I worked the edges flat. Checked with straight edge and then on a table for rocking.
Re-installed them with RTV on both sides of gaskets, the covers and heads. Yeah, every other thread says no gasket needed but, after over 25k miles and with two or more years of breaks between being run…still no leaks.
“Your results may vary.”
Yep. Just like the Right Stuff.when I did my covers, I cleaned all the old "hard as a rock" gasket off, cleaned them up and used a straight edge. even went as far as taking the cover upside down and slightly tapping the holes so they were a hair bent outward so when I tightened them down it had more of a chance to grab the gasket further away from the holes first.
in my experience when going back with a new gasket on any cover or pan, I have always put a light coat of RTV on the metal surface and both sides of the gasket. lay the gasket flat on the metal surface of the cover or pan, line it up with the bolt holes and let is sit for about an hour till it's fairly secured and tacky. then install. sometimes I don't use RTV on the side if the gasket that's on the engine, I would use the old permatex #2 that never hardens or really dries up. but only a very thin layer. any of that gasket goop will cause the gasket to slip or ooze out of place causing a leak if your not careful.
I have seen some use the yellow gorilla snot on everything... (3M weatherstrip adhesive) good luck getting that cover off without destroying it. that stuff makes for a bad day for any person.
Yup, that’s all I’ve runHave you run synthetic oil?
Well my last attempt on the passenger side was with a new GM Genuine Valve Cover and I still ended up with a leak. I will try placing a Leroy Valve cover girdle over it and see if that cures it.Yup, that’s all I’ve run