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Ted in NE-OH 
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Joined: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Austinburg OH
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 Topic: B Valve cover gasket
Posted: 14 Oct 2012 at 8:37pm |
For years I've had trouble with the valve cover gasket leaking on a B right behind the under hood muffler. It seems the heat softens the gasket cement and then the gasket bows in and leaks. I've tried to fix it a couple of times and same thing. Any tricks? 
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CA, WD, C, 3 Bs, 2 Gs, WC, I-400, 914
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mweiland
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Joined: 09 Sep 2012
Location: s.e. wisconsin
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Posted: 14 Oct 2012 at 10:00pm |
i do not know if its factory spec., or not , but i wipe down the gasket as dry as possible as well as the valve assemble and install with no sealant. i haven't ever had a problem. maybe a new gasket is in order..... perhaps a cleaner surface....just a thought
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Ted in NE-OH
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Location: Austinburg OH
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Posted: 15 Oct 2012 at 11:25am |
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Bump
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CA, WD, C, 3 Bs, 2 Gs, WC, I-400, 914
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Dick L
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Edon Ohio
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Posted: 15 Oct 2012 at 4:06pm |
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Number one is (NO PAINT) under the gaskets. Valve cover gaskets do work well dry but I stick/glue them fast to the cover and never use anything on the head side. Seems if I don't glue them to the covers on Allis Chalmers that they bow in and leak. Some makes have metal tabs that hold the gasket in place on the covers. When a cover has the tabs I don't use anything on the gasket. Tightening them to tight will cave down the center to where the cover is not as tight on the head as you thought also can be a problem.
Edited by Dick L - 15 Oct 2012 at 4:06pm
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Ted in NE-OH
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Location: Austinburg OH
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Posted: 15 Oct 2012 at 4:43pm |
Thanks guys I'll try that. 
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CA, WD, C, 3 Bs, 2 Gs, WC, I-400, 914
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j.w.freck
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Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Location: karnack texas
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Posted: 15 Oct 2012 at 7:45pm |
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why not add an aluminum heat shield between the exhaust and the rocker box.that should do it.....
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George Davenport
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Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Location: Trenton NC
Points: 127
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Posted: 15 Oct 2012 at 7:51pm |
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I had trouble with my B which had cork gaskets that would break down repeatedly due to heat. I finally replaced it with a neoprene gasket by FelPro. Part number was VS 3708 R. The gromlet bolt seals were included with gasket. (Also called rocker arm cover gasket). I think that would cure your problem.
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Life is what happens while you are making plans for the future
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Steve in NJ
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
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Posted: 16 Oct 2012 at 7:08am |
I've always used 3M weatherstrip adhesive on the valve cover side to keep the gasket where it belongs. Wait over night for it to cure, and install the cover on a nice clean valve cover rail. I use Brakekleen on a rag to clean any oil off the valve cover rail before I install the cover w/new gasket. That process I use on all engines. Tractor, car or truck. Seems to work fine. I only had two failures all the years I've been doing it that way, and it turned out in both instances that the valve cover was whooped, and the gasket couldn't sit flush to seal correctly...
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SteveC(NS)
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Location: Nova Scotia
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Posted: 16 Oct 2012 at 6:19pm |
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I always try to "dress" the bolt holes in the valve cover back a bit, they can get a bit tired after a while.
Edited by SteveC(NS) - 16 Oct 2012 at 6:20pm
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dkalsow
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Joined: 31 Jul 2017
Location: Hudson, WI
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Posted: 13 Feb 2019 at 1:40pm |
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I have to replace mine as well. Does anyone know the torque for the bolts on the valve cover? Thanks
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Dick L
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Posted: 13 Feb 2019 at 3:46pm |
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Never torque the valve cover bolts! If you tighten to much and bend the hole down you will never stop the cover from leaking until you bend them back up. When you see the metal around the hole bend down slightly you have the maximum torque needed.
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dkalsow
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Posted: 13 Feb 2019 at 8:51pm |
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Sounds good - thanks
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CTuckerNWIL
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Posted: 14 Feb 2019 at 9:06am |
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Use a good straight edge on the valve cover to make sure it's flat before you put it back together. Many have been torqued and aren't flat. A small hammer and a flat solid surface come in real handy for making it flat again.
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dkalsow
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Posted: 14 Feb 2019 at 10:02am |
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Bill Long
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Location: Bel Air, MD
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Posted: 14 Feb 2019 at 10:39am |
Back in the day we used to seal the gasket to the cover first before installing it. If we did not we had an immediate leak. Used tools to hold in place till cement took well. Be certain it is well cleaned before installing.
Usually did not have a problem. Listen closely to what is said above. It is great expert advice. Take good care of my favorite. Bill Long
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