Valve cover and side cover oil leaks

Brad_bb · Jan 26, 2014

Ever since I finished the resto on my 55 Ford two years ago, by valve cover and side cover have leaked oil terribly. I thought my sealing surfaces were pretty straight/flat. Now, I am using cork gaskets. Could that be the problem? I also wonder if they are tightened too much. I was trying to be careful when I tightened them down, but.... not sure. I don't know if they even make those gaskets in material other than cork?

Dick L · Jan 26, 2014

If you have paint where the gasket is supposed to seal they will leak/seep.

Steve@Advance · Jan 26, 2014

Cork would be the best choice of gasket material.
Over tightening is not good, it squeezes the
gasket until it splits away from the bolt and
distorts the sheet metal.

I would take it back apart and see whats wrong, it
will probably be obvious. Look for tears in the
sheet metal around the bolts, doesn't happen
often, just something to check. Is the crankcase
vent tube clear?

Clean it up, flatten it out, try again. Maybe a
very thin layer of black silicone would help, but
too much can cause the gasket to squirt out.

Valve cover and side cover oil leaks

Brad_bb

Member

Dick L

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

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