Club Cobra - Valve cover sealing

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Valve cover sealing

I plan on sealing one of the interfaces, either the valve cover-gasket interface or the head/manifold-gasket interface. Not both because I'd like to be able to remove the valve covers easily. I figure sealing one interface should cut down on the odds of a leak by 50%:LOL:

Which interface would you guys seal, and what would you use? The Right Stuff or 3M weatherstrip adhesive or something else?

Thanks.

phil

Given the option I would glue the cover to the heads - sealing both the intake to head interface as well as the valve cover flange itself. Then I would use studs to mount the covers so I could service them without disturbing the gasket.

After trying many ways over the years, this is what works best for me and has lasted longest.
First, make sure the head/intake joint is flush and put a dab of RightStuff on that joint.
I fasten neoprene gasket to valve cover (I've used Gaskacinch or RightStuff) and then coat valve cover rail on head/intake with grease, old fashioned brown axle grease.
Torque evenly-cast aluminum valve covers are superior to the stamped steel ones for a flat surface. Also use studs as Barry suggests.
The grease allows instant removal but allows no oil to leak past. Has worked for me, the motor stays dry.

Similar to chas, but I like the 5/16" cork from DSC.
Glued to the cover with "TheRightStuff", grease the engine side.
Don't like glueing to the head or intake as it makes cleaning those surfaces a back breaking job for me. Hate having to spend much time leaning over the fenders...

Cork or Rubber gaskets?

philminotti It depends on which valve cover you are using and which material of gaskets. I started with steel valve covers and double rubber gaskets. They didn't seal well either way. I added spread bars to them and this helped. I glued the rubber gaskets to the heads and smoothed out the transition between heads and intake. A spot of RTV sealer at this point also helped. The problem was doing valve adjustments after 3-4 times the gaskets leaked. They where not crushed or over tightened. I got the nice aluminum Lemans valve covers and went to the 5/16" thick cork gaskets. I Hi-tac them to the Valve covers and have been using the same set for 6 years with 2-3 valve adjustments check a year. I have had no leaks from this setup. IMO this aluminum valve cover spreads the holding force better that a steel cover. Big thing is to no over tighten them. Contact and a 1/8 turn is all I use. Make sure you check your intke gasket for being clear of water ports and oil returns. I have seen gasket pinch up and get crushed when installing and not following the correct torque pattern. Rick L.

on the FE's I like Cork rightstuffed to the cover. --