Valve Cover Liquid Sealant

[Auto Doc's]

Back when mechanics were actually tradesman, it was routine to make many of the pressed paper and cork gaskets from bulk roll material for a job. Even today, it still does not make sense to me to delay a job just to buy simple gaskets that can be made by hand.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Yep, Permatex #1 got you a hard seal, #2 stayed "soft".....and tapping out a gasket was the way....seems in some things it was easy "back in the day"

Hi bartles,

"Back in the day" most components also had flat mating surfaces, so many gaskets were simple to make. Now, engineers have resorted to intricate designs that require special heat-resistant O-rings and molded rubber gaskets.

Of course, many of the old bad habits have not gone away either. I just had a B&S V-twin that had what looked like a half tube of cheap RTV sealer put on each stamped valve cover. It took a lot of time to clean up that mess.

 

[MParr]

Hi bartles,

"Back in the day" most components also had flat mating surfaces, so many gaskets were simple to make. Now, engineers have resorted to intricate designs that require special heat-resistant O-rings and molded rubber gaskets.

Of course, many of the old bad habits have not gone away either. I just had a B&S V-twin that had what looked like a half tube of cheap RTV sealer put on each stamped valve cover. It took a lot of time to clean up that mess.

A perfect place for a tapped out gasket.

 

[slomo]

For me I check valves as a yearly maintenance item. As well as cooling fins and lubing cables. So much easier to do when the cover comes right off. No need for a hammer and a 2x4 block either. Caveman tools are not required.

Can't stand RTV at all. Valve covers are not under any pressure. No need for a permanent type sealant in these applications.

 

[MParr]

Dusting off the way back machine.

 

[Rich M.]

A little bit of heat from heat gun, small chisel and hammer and the cover will come off and you can reuse it after completely removing the old sealant from cylinder head and valve cover. Permatex Right Stuff is the way to go.

It seems like the repair shop near me used the Right Stuff, up until he retired. Not sure how it will be to remove when the cover has to come off at the next valve check.

 

[hlw49]

Star Tech has it right block of wood and a good hammer. Put the block of wood on the side of the VC and whack it side ways. You can bend the vc trying to pry it off.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Back when mechanics were actually tradesman, it was routine to make many of the pressed paper and cork gaskets from bulk roll material for a job. Even today, it still does not make sense to me to delay a job just to buy simple gaskets that can be made by hand.

I make my own gaskets for carburetors when necessary.

 

[ILENGINE]

Star Tech has it right block of wood and a good hammer. Put the block of wood on the side of the VC and whack it side ways. You can bend the vc trying to pry it off.

And I have crushed more than one valve cover attempting to shear it off with a block of wood and a hammer.

 

[StarTech]

And I have crushed more than one valve cover attempting to shear it off with a block of wood and a hammer.

Maybe I am just better at it then as I had zero crush covers.

And currently I am trying out MotoSeal as a sealant. Hopes it works out that stuff don't setup in the tubes. They use it to assemble crankcase halves.