The cork valve cover gaskets on my hemi have dried out and are leaking, dripping oil onto the manifolds, leaking on the driveway, etc. I'd like to make a new set of gaskets and was wondering what kind of material to make them out of. I'd like to avoid cork this time around. Is there a way to get a sheet of silicone and use that to make the gaskets? Kind of like the OEM's do with new cars.
Hot Heads P/N 90801 Black composite. 22 bucks. No need to make anything. http://www.hothemiheads.com/engine_block/gaskets.html
X2 on right stuff. OEMs went gasketless, goo-only on lotsa stuff. I'll add another bit though, hand tighten for the overnight drying to ensure good contact, and do final torque once it sets. Personally, I glue a cork gasket to all my covers using right stuff. Set em on a sheet of scrap paper with bolts in the holes to keep gasket alignment and put 5lbs on top of the cover to ensure good contact while it dries. Ends up extremely reuseable if you take a little care when removing the covers from the engine. Good luck
I'll most likely go with the right stuff. The Chrysler gaskets don't work with my DeSoto from what I gather. Thanks guys!
DOH! Yep! You would need something from this page maybe. These are probably cork also, but like stated already, the right goop and the right procedure should get you dry... http://www.hothemiheads.com/desoto/engine_block/gaskets.html
after i glue the gaskets on and about to put them on i put a thin coat of oil on,makes it easier to get off later
Cool, I think I'll go with studs in the heads this time around as well. That way I can seal off the water jackets for good and locate the new gaskets nicely.
Yesterday I got my studs installed with thread sealant along the top row, since they thread into the water jacket. All done hand tight with a double-nut setup so they won't back out. Now for the gasket. I have a can of "The Right Stuff" and new cork gaskets. If I remember right: 1. Glue the cork gaskets to the head, using a thin bead of the right stuff 2. Smear a thin film of oil on the valve cover 3. Torque the valve cover down and let sit overnight before starting it up?
I might just try and lay a bead of the right stuff on the valve covers as a first attempt. Now, just to find time to do it.