455 valve covers both leak same spot.. Tips?

Ok, finally fired up the 72 455 for the first time after rebuild. My first 455. Unfortunately I have a pretty bad oil leak on both sides. Rear bottom of each valve cover. I even bought the TA rubber 're-usable' valve cover gaskets that say you can't over tighten them. I always thought having only 2 bolts on the bottom might be trouble but I guess this has worked good for over 50 years .. must just be me and my luck for them to leak.

What are you guys using for valve covers and any tips on installing them so they don't leak?

 

Is that picture supposed to be the leak, because I don't see it?

Did you peen the covers flat before reinstalling them? It's pretty hard with the stamped covers to make this area perfectly leak free in my experience...

 

Those gaskets will not work with tin covers. They don't provide enough squish. You'll need cork. Those reusable gaskets are for aluminum only.

 

These:
Edelbrock 7546 Valve Cover Gasket Set 5/16 in.

 

Yeah,.it's dripping right in the corner, down to the head bolt left of the 73.

 

Ah. That explains it. Thanks

 

Ok thanks. Do you use any rtv or high tach sealants with those?

 

I had the same problem. Used a little RTV on both sides of the gasket (head and cover). Applied only in the back corners near the firewall. Used the same edlebrock gaskets too.

 

I am told no. This is what JW recommends. I have not fired my motor yet.

 

I always use the extra thick cork. I rtv th corners to cover, you should be able to take them on and off se real ti es this way with no issues. Maje sure your corners are not bent up......sometime they get that way because pol pry them off wit screw drivers......and I use the long spreader with either the short under it or tiny washers.....if not the spreader just bend when you snug it down.

 

Rubber gaskets, 3M weatherstrip adhesive gasket to valve cover, then silicone on gasket to head. Been doing it this way for years.

 

When I ran stamped covers they leaked in the same area until I installed the extra thick gaskets that TA sells.

 

With aluminum heads the surface was so smooth any pressure squished out the rubber gasket. Gascacinch solved it perfectly.
Cliff

 

Have a set of almec valve cover clamps. Dont think the guys making anymore. Was supposed to fix this sort of issues

 

Well. Since the TA rubber valve cover gaskets weren't cheap and had some Right Stuff rtv on the shelf.... I put a light coat on the top side of the gasket. Installed them to get them relatively flat on the valve cover... Let it cure for 24 hours. Then removed the valve covers, put a light coat on the bottom side of the gasket, with a slightly heavier amount on the corners and reinstalled them. I won't be able to see if it worked until this weekend but can't see why it wouldn't. Not the best way, as removing them later will be a little tough but on a brand new motor, I'm hoping I do not have to remove them for years haha. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks all!

 

Peen along the flat area of the head so the gasket doesn’t squish out…and glue the gasket to the cover. Makes removing the cover multiple times for valve adjustments, etc much easier.

 

The 1st thing I do with valve covers is set them upside down with the gasket are on the edge of the bench and peen all bolt holes down so that they are flat with the rest of the gasket area.
Then I sit them on the head to test fitment to make sure they properly and evenly sit down on the gasket area. I peen down any areas that do not sit down evenly.
I then put a thin film of silicone on the gasket area of the cover, install the gasket on the cover, sit the cover on the head and lightly tighten the bolts stopping when I see silicone oozing out by the gasket holding tabs. The bolts should have very light holding pressure at this time.
I let the cover sit for 12 hours to allow the silicone to cure.
After the curing time you can remove the covers if you want to check for head imprints on the gasket, reinstall and tighten as needed.