(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Valve cover gaskets

One of my lifelong pet peeves has been people who slop an engine full of silicone instead of using proper gaskets.

I once fixed a valve cover leak on a Chevy 6.2 diesel engine because some dope had used silicone instead of a proper cork gasket. I won't go into what it takes to remove a valve cover from a 6.2.

I once rebuilt a Buick 3.0 V6 engine because someone had plugged a water passage with silicone.

The list goes on. NOTHING will ever replace a proper gasket.
 
You are correct in that it was some DOPE and that DOPE was GM factory ! That is how they did all of the valve covers and oil pans back in that era. I had one of those 6.2 from brand new and it was a piece of junk ! I will never buy a GM again because of that.
 
By or make a gasket for it. Then you can put a LIGHT smear of one of the ultra forms of silicon sealer on the gasket face to help it seal imperfections and will aid it in removal in the future if needed.
 
It will work.

It has to be clean though, all the old gasket removed and oil washed away with solvent, surfaces clean and dry.

If it's a sheet metal cover, the holes need to be flattened from the back side.

I use the black high heat automotive sealer.
 
Check out my post "Oliver 1850 pto
demise" on page 3 now. Good example of
why not to use gasket in a can/rtv. I
should have named my post something
different so more people looked at it.
 
I have done it buy making a bead and then letting it
skin over and then put it on and tighten it down just
a little bit then wait a couple more hours then finish
tightening the bolts
 
hummm , I used to have one from brand new. was a very good highway vehicle with good mileage. they were not intended to be a pulling machine. but yes the valve covers were siliconed on. BUT... not with excessive silicone the backyard mechanics use. yes gm used silicone even on the differential covers. I definitely am not a silicone fan. I will use the proper gasket where its required.
 
Thanks for all the input. i have used it before (sparingly) with good results on rear end covers but didn't really want to use it on a valve cover which is harder to get to.
So, Case guys, I need a cork valve cover gasket for my 1949 Case DC4. This website does not have them and the Case/IH parts website shows them on the parts list but not in stock. Where do I obtain a gasket?
 
When I took farm mechanics 50 years ago one of the instructors was an old Oliver mechanic. He said he had the valve cover off a 70 out in the field and the gasket fell apart. He went to the road ditch, pulled out a reed of some sort and made a valve cover gasket out of the reed that was good enough to finish the day. The next morning he brought out a factory gasket to fix it up right. I equate using silicone to being almost as good as making a gasket out of a reed.
 
I like to stick the gasket to the valve cover with Indian head sealer, or something like that, only seal on one side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
How to prime a gasboy 1230 pump
Replies
13
Views
829
Jim.ME
J
D
Removing piston carbon build up?
Replies
14
Views
521
HFJ
H
jd2cyl1943
Gasket question
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
Rich'sToys
R
M
Question about head gasket replacement on a MF 135 with Perkins 3cly gas.
Replies
7
Views
324
Dieseltech
D
Hoenes
V Twin leaking valve covers.
Replies
4
Views
489
T.R.K.
T
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top