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Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by John U on 3/25/2019, 7:43 pm

I am going to change my valve cover gaskets . So I went to NAPA . No more cork gaskets they said . They have been replaced by rubber . I have checked with another store in Effingham IL that deals with Felpro . Once again no more cork gaskets . Only rubber gaskets . I would like to use cork gaskets for the valve covers . Do you guys have any thoughts on cork vs. rubber ? Maybe I should go to swap meets and buy up any and all cork gaskets that I can LOL .

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by Sluggo on 3/28/2019, 1:46 pm, in reply to "Valve Cover Gaskets "

The Fel Pro part number you are looking for is VS30055C. It is being discontinued but I saw them on RockAuto's website for $5 - closeout. Other online searches should find more.

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by sluggo on 3/26/2019, 8:32 am, in reply to "Valve Cover Gaskets "

I prefer the cork gaskets too but they are getting hard to find. Napa shows these
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/FPBVS30055C
The last Fel Pro's I bought were listed as cork but when I opened the box, they were rubber.
You may have to hit up the restoration companies like Ausley's, Year one, or even corvette shops to find "correct" original cork gaskets.

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by Rcrusher 68 on 3/26/2019, 4:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

Mr.Gasket should be no problem

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by John U on 3/26/2019, 11:41 am, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

Thanks so much for the information . I will check these places out .

John

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by BIGIRON on 3/26/2019, 4:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "
VIP Member and Board Expert

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FelPro-1630-Valve-Cover-Gaskets-Big-Block-Chevy-5-16-Thick-Cork/191659678267?epid=137000487&hash=item2c9fce9a3b:g:KcMAAOSwMEtaUGsO

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Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by Sluggo on 3/26/2019, 6:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

Careful, these are the same as the Napa items. A blend of cork and rubber particles. No good.

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by BIGIRON on 3/27/2019, 4:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "
VIP Member and Board Expert

My apologies, I skipped off to other distractions without following up on this thread....

So, my interpretation on the original post was the distinction between cork vs. rubber gaskets as opposed to cork and rubber gasket material.

For as long as I can remember, (not long apparently), valve cover gasket material was a combination of cork, rubber and some type of binder. Never had a problem with that material, but as Nick points out, the solid rubber examples tend to leak if any oil gets between the gasket and sealing surfaces.

Cork's magic is it's ability to absorb oil, swell, to fill gaps evenly on un-even surfaces. I'd have to lean to the cork and rubber version over the solid rubber. Haven't tried Nick's neoprene, might give that a turn one day.

BG

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Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by Nick on 3/26/2019, 7:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

I never had much luck with cork gaskets unless I glued them on. Then You had to chisel them off or wirebrush them. The best gasket now is the preformed neoprene with metal in between. Thicker and they will not leak. I first used them on an LT1 engine. I used to use the rubber but they would tend to slip. Modern day materials. NICK L72

427impalasportcoupe

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by John U on 3/27/2019, 7:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

I have checked with Mr. Gasket , Summit , and Corvette Central . It looks like it is cork / rubber . Thanks everyone for the feedback .

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by John U on 3/27/2019, 7:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

Corvette Central did say they had cork gaskets but they were painted silver to be period correct .

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by TRQ on 3/27/2019, 8:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

I have a set on my car,I bought them thru SS396.com There ok,a little harder than the old originals,but they seal up fairly well.I have stock chrome valve covers.

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by Bill H on 3/28/2019, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

I've had rubber gaskets on my '68 Z24 valve covers for years with no leakage. I learned early on that you want to keep the sheet metal flange flat around the bolt holes - which can distort even with the cover hold-down brackets in place, if tightened too much.

Bill

Re: Valve Cover Gaskets

Posted by Nick on 3/28/2019, 6:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Valve Cover Gaskets "

You are right Bill. I started using the long hold downs when GM started putting the on the valve covers. They give a flatter contact surface. I just bought a chrome set for My 427 along with the neoprene gaskets. We used to retighten the bolts, but that pulled the holes down and collapsed the cork. Eventually they started leaking. The holes on the covers need to be flattened out. NICK L72

427impalasportcoupe

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