Engine: Valve Cover Gasket Installation Help

[61LaRk4dr]

Hello,

Does anyone out there have tricks or a preferred way to install the cork gaskets inside the valve covers for a 232? I recently purchased a set and already managed to ruin them trying to install them. It doesn't appear the valve covers have a groove to set the gaskets in place to avoid misalignment. Because of this, I ended installing the cork gaskets directly on the block and then tried to install the valve cover over them. This was probably not the way to do it. On my 1961 Lark the valve cover has a channel with which to install the gasket into place....that engine is a 6 cylinder OHV.

I am hoping to order a new set, but wanted to get some insight before I installed this set. Does anyone also happen to know if these valve cover gasket are available in a rubber material? A rubber material would last longer and be a little more forgiving if I ended up screwing up again.

I know this should be something very easy to do, but I seem to be having some trouble. I welcome any constructive replies.

Thank you

[Paul K.]

I've always glued the gasket to the valve cover then installed the cover. Since you don't have any grooves or tabs to hold the gasket in place this would be your only option. There are two products that work well, one called Gaskasinch and 3M weatherstrip adhesive (yellow or black on the 3M). They adhere similar to contact cement in the sense you apply it to both surfaces, let it set up for a few minutes and assemble. Sticks quick and you can assemble right away. IMO, silicone RTV takes too long to dry if you want to assemble within an hour.

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

Make sure the valve cover gasket contact surfaces are flat and straight.
On mine, the sides were bowed outward and would not completely seal against the head.
While I had the covers on the bench, I pressed and leaned on the sides to remove the bow.
Lay a flat edge on the contact surface of the cover to check that they are not bent, dented or tweeked.

[jbjr]

while on the subject of valve cover gaskets I am just about ready to do mine and have cork also, I was told to soak them in warm water for 20 mins,is that a good idea?

[Flashback]

Two 232's and one 259 I have had had thin strips of metal that went in each vale cover U shaped from the end, that hold them in place. I know some , if not all early engines came with these. Yours missing?

[61LaRk4dr]

Two 232's and one 259 I have had had thin strips of metal that went in each vale cover U shaped from the end, that hold them in place. I know some , if not all early engines came with these. Yours missing?

I don't believe I saw anything like what you are describing. Do you have a picture?

[Flashback]

sorry I couldn't get a picture. I am going in for a, what I hope, is a minor procedure early in a m. Maybe I can a little later.

[jrlemke]

I made my own v/c gaskets for my aluminum v/c. took two sheets of 1/8" cork/neoprene material, glued one to the cover, cut it around the cover, then glued the other one to it and cut it out. You could use one sheet of 1/4" material. Lightly glued the covers to the heads. Have had no leakage for at least 1000 mi. =Jim

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

2 strips of thin sheetmetal, 3/4"to1" wide. "U" shaped to follow the inside shape of the cover.
Held in place by tension/friction.
They help hold the gasket in place. The flange on the cover keeps the gasket from slipping out, the strips keep it from slipping in.
They sometimes slide up into the cover.

[StudeRich]

Your FIRST problem before finding out that your Gasket spacers are missing, is that you need to throw the old school Cork Gaskets where they belong, in the TRASH!

All Studebaker Vendors stock the correct "Improved" Neoprene Rubber Gaskets for all '51 to early 1960 V8's that when installed with a light coat of RTV Black Hi-Temp Silicone Gasket Maker will NOT leak.

You WILL need the gasket holding spacers (4 per Engine) to keep the gaskets from moving into the Cylinder Head.

[Deaf Mute]

An added plus is that the neoprene ones are completely RE USEABLE... several times!
You can pull the covers off, adjust the valves and just bolt the covers back on (after wiping the oil off the heads).

[62champ]

Am wondering, with all the technology out there, when someone is going to start producing a full neoprene oil pan gasket, which like the valve covers, will mitigate all those annoying drips...

[Flashback]

Here's a picture of the of the gasket holding spacers. Course, this is the normal configuration when not in covers. they spring in to install. This makes them have tension. As already stated it takes 4.

[61LaRk4dr]

Here's a picture of the of the gasket holding spacers. Course, this is the normal configuration when not in covers. they spring in to install. This makes them have tension. As already stated it takes 4.

I finally got some time to check, and I most certainly do NOT have anything like that. It is a little puzzling that they don't exist on my valve covers. Does anyone have a spare set?

[52-fan]

I don't recognize that part either. I just looked in my parts book and shop manual and no luck. ???