Valve Covers leaking

[Russm]

Mine were leaking. Undid all the bolts and they were basically loose. They were also deformed. Cleaned everything up and used rtv. They still leak.

How do I straighten out the flanges or what's a reputable source for new ones?

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[87cr250r]

Which RTV did you use? The Right Stuff in black is the best to use.

Make sure the surfaces are clean bare metal. No paint.

Trying to install the valve covers in chassis can be tricky. Those rear rocker arms like to scrape the RTV off while you snake the cover between the brake booster or fuel filter housing. I recommend rehearsing with a few dry runs before applying the RTV.

A block of wood in your vise to act as an anvil works with a hammer to straighten things out. If you can get them to 1/16" you are good.

 

[Barrman]

As written above Right Stuff is what you use on a super clean surface. I normally go a step further and get them on with the bolts finger tight. Then I torque them to the really light spec after it has set up for hours or a day.

The block of wood thing works great with the valve cover upside down and a small ball peen hammer with the round peen end in the bolt hole. Then hit the head of that hammer with another hammer.

 

[cucvrus]

Call me an idiot or what ever you like, I have always used Felpro gaskets and Permatex The Right Stuff . In my opinion the valve covers are scrap and are only good one time with sealer alone. After that I use gaskets and sealer. Do as you wish I am not a mechanic and only do this as a hobby. I am a body builder by trade. Good Luck.

 

[Russm]

Call me an idiot or what ever you like, I have always used Felpro gaskets and Permatex The Right Stuff . In my opinion the valve covers are scrap and are only good one time with sealer alone. After that I use gaskets and sealer. Do as you wish I am not a mechanic and only do this as a hobby. I am a body builder by trade. Good Luck.

Sealer applied on which side of the gasket? Or on both sides?

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[cucvrus]

I do both sides. Like mentioned clean the surfaces very good and dry them. Don”t over tighten the bolts and hold the studs when you tighten the top nuts. Good Luck.

 

[87cr250r]

Ideally with gaskets you should use some type of compression limiter. A piece of thin tubing cut slightly shorter than the thickness of the gasket installed around each bolt would allow the gasket to be torqued properly without squishing the gasket to oblivion or causing it to extrude.