Valve cover install with no leaks by Scared Shiftless 

These older 240p resolution videos ALWAYS have the golden nuggets. Ty

Probably the best valve cover install tutorial on the web.

The 440 in my car was leaking badly from a valve cover. I’ve never done a valve cover gasket before. I was reading online, everyone said to use RTV to seal it. To me that didn’t make sense as in my mind that would compromise the mating surface once it’s set. Then I stumbled across this video and you reiterated what I was thinking. Didn’t know about the contact adhesive trick. Anyway I decided to go with what you said, I used your technique and it worked, first time. Thank you very much for this video and spreading the right method 👍 I could have been wasting many hours, gaskets and profanities if I hadn’t lol

I've been fighting valve cover leaks on a high performance built 351c and tried various rubber and synthetic foam gaskets, with and without rtv, without any success for over 9 months now. Tried it Mark's way after watching this video with Felpro Cork Blue Stripe gaskets and spray adhesive and it worked perfectly; No Leaks At All! It is so nice to check the engine after a spirited day of driving now and find that the valve covers and heads are bone dry. Great video Mark, thanks for helping everybody with this one.

What a clear, concise and to the point video without all of the bs RU-vid filler 👍🏼

I’ve gotten many tips from different sources on how to do this. All of the tips I received were covered in this one video. Nice job.

Excelllent video I followed it exactly and no leaks! And I’m using stock covers with the stock (small) load spreaders. For anyone using stock covers, spend some time making sure they are flat, mine were bent a lot more than I first realized after decades of improper installations.

Had to leave a post just to say thanks! Purchased new cork baskets and installed them as I knew how. They leaked. Went back to purchase rubber gaskets. Debated whether or not to use them. Found your video, watched it,, and returned unused gaskets and repurchased cork ones. Did exactly as your video suggested and no leaks were evident. Great job sir!

Man I wish I had found your video before buying the hard rubber gasket. Your technique works great. Thanks

I just used your technique on my 1970 Impala. I have a very similar intake manifold and spark plug wire looms. No silicone, no leaks. Thanks!

Thanks for the video, Mark. I tried your technique with new valve covers and cork gaskets and it worked like a charm. I hope you get paid for your knowledge.

Thanks for sharing mark. Love thee adhesive trick to hold the gasket

Great video. I'll be replacing the gaskets on my 350SB and never did like the rubber gaskets. The piece of mind here helped a lot.

I've used the soft rubber gaskets with no issues. Glue them to the valve cover, make sure the sealing surface is oil free. Tighten the bolts down by HAND, I don't even take a socket wrench to it. Just the socket and extension, hand tight. Never a leak and I have on heck of a time getting it back off.

Thanks for your great advice have cured my rocker box leak by not using silicon sealer just used cork gasket worked a treat on my 460 big block ford v8 5th time I had done it so glad it's sorted now..no more oily garage floor.

Looking at that rear wheel, I think the owner has more problems than a leaky valve cover.

10 on 10 You explain things very well first video I watch of yours I will follow you

Thanks Mark. Just the info I needed.

Thank you Mark, great video and info.

Best video tip on valve cover install!!!

This is a very good and helpful video thank you

I used rubber gasket and the recommended black silicone sealant on my inline 6 chevy Nova and it has been nothing but disappointment. The silicone melts like ice-cream on high heat and the rubber gasket runs out of line. I will do it with a thick cork gasket, it just makes more sense, these is more room to squeeze it against the block and it won't change shape under the pressure and heat. Thanks Mark!

Great video! Clean & Clear information. Thank you!

you mean tighten to 25 inch pounds not foot lbs I found out the hard way!

I have used Felpro rubber valve cover gaskets without any problems on stock metal valve covers on my small block Chevy . Not a leak yet !

I am sure glad I watched your video! By the way, I swore it was Nick Saban on video! You look just like him, GO BAMA

I met this guy. he is cool and smart.

Great advice-thank you

very nice work and solid advise thank you

The best method I found is to get studs from a speed shop and then you just line the studs with the gasget and bolt it on. Soo much easier to line up and install I don't know why chevy didn't design it that way originally and I haven't had a leak.

It would be more laborious but looks like there is much more excess material on the intake that can be safely removed than the valve cover. Perhaps take some off of both. Rubber gaskets are for engines with solid lifters that have to be adjusted regularly.

Yes Sir. Excellent video.

Very intuitive thank you

I wish all cars had the motor this accessible, it might suck for accidents but for maintenance its a breeze. Also I see your into "Stance Nation" lmao

Thanks for this!

i used the steel cored rubber valve cover gaskets with arp studs dry no rtv or glue torque to factory specs and no leaks at all just layed in and torqued down and it worked better than the cork in my opinion.

Thanks worked perfectly 👍👍💯

Thanks Mark!!!

While I like these instructions in general, 25 lb/ft will distort almost any V/C. And I love how he sprayed that badass 3M "super 77" right next to, and all over the valve cover, the overspray from that stuff makes everything in a 2 foot radius sticky. There is no way I know of to "accurately apply" that super sticky spray.

Always wondered about this. Thought this was a smart video

Mark, good video, only have one comment, I always use acetone on the edge of the head to get rid of any oil that may have collected from the leak or capalary action can take place and it could leak again. Thanks again. Psycotoo

Nailed it!

Thank you!!!

So far so good for me

Get rid of that rubber fuel line. That rod deserves better. Excellent tutorial btw.

Great now next time you need to take out the gasket you gotta fight to get it off the cover...

Im going to have to try this i broke the rules last time i put valve covers on. I put rubber gaskets on with silicone and over tightened it. Nothing but leaks, live and learn. Got cork gaskets gonna do this right this time. By the way those valve covers look like they are small block chevy. Like dead on.

Opgi has replacement parts for 68 Pontiac, it isn't rubber, some type of very thick composite. It seems to be the best they offer but I'm not sure if they will hold up but I don't think Edelbrock makes them cork.

Thank you Mark. Would you recommend the same method for oil pan gaskets? If so, apply adhesive to the pan?

I have heard about using adhesive on the valve cover side, but putting the cork dry against the head doesn't seal. I tried this last week and once again they need to be removed. They are leaking. I may just order the $55 blue, steel encapsulated Felpro gasket and be done with it.

I’ve been battling an oil leak on my ‘85 F-350 460ci. I thought I was doing right by buying the rubber gaskets. But… they leaked. I then thought the valve covers were just bent too bad, so I bought new chrome covers and reused the rubber gaskets. Still leaked. I then, RTV’d both sides of the gaskets. They still leaked. I ran across your video yesterday and last night used this method. Bought new felPro cork gaskets and adhesive spray. I scraped, peeled, and scrubbed to remove all the old RTV off the heads and the valve covers. Made sure they were cleaned and dry before spraying adhesive. Firmly seated the new gaskets in place. Crossing my fingers that this works. It’s been a nightmare.

Does this technique work sealing the rear axle cover or do ya need silicone on the housing and cover with the gaket in-between?

Good afternoon what did you use to grind that part on the value covers.i have oil leak same issuer you had with covers Thanks

Can I use this method on newer cars 2008 and up ?

I don't remember seeing the spray can label. I'm guessing 3M spray adhesive. Nice job.

Its a great article but the challenge is with steel valve covers not the aluminum units. Please do an article with steel covers. Thanks and Good Luck.

Hi Mark, Do you put a little silicon on the bolt threads for the valve cover gaskets? I have leaks coming up from those bolt holes. Nice videos.Thanks.

Will this same process work on oil pan gasket?

Wish I found your video last night. Really informative. Just installed new rubber gaskets using Permatex blue rtv after my cork gaskets leaked. Looks like it was my method not the gasket. But...why do you say no silicone at all?

No Valve cover should have more than 6 lbs of torque. Period and you can do that without a torque.

Question because the 3M SUPER 77 spray adhesive is so flammable will the engine ever get too hot where it can cause fire? want to try it but don't want a fire.

I feel like an idiot. What did I use? black RTV silicone on both the valve cover side and engine side! I really hope these valve covers don't leak on me for at least a few years so I can lick my wounds and do them again.

Thanks for the info, never knew u could put a gasket on this way. Only question I have is how does one prevent the gasket from becoming rock hard or brittle with no-lube? The RTV i should assume helps with lubrication and not just sealant. But I'll give this new technique a shot on my Ford 390 have a terrible leak from ole valve covers bought new edelbrock covers and fel-pro gasket, let's see.

Can Spray Tack also be used?

Would it be the same process for an oil pan gasket

25 ft lbs is typically too much torque for stamped steel valve covers.

You know, thinking back, in the old days when you picked up a three dollar cork gasket and sealant, you were good for 30, 40k miles. Nowadays with 20.00 rubber gaskets, they never stop leaking! On two of my cars, the only gasket you can get is a FelPro rubber gasket and they just leak. I've tried them with and without sealant and they just never stop leaking. Thinking as a last resort about getting the "make your own gasket" stuff. Any thoughts on that stuff? I think it's copper or bronze?

What kind of 3m adhesive was this

Twang n bang up next !

Is it ok to use red rtv as the gasket for the valley pan?

What do you recommend for the adhesive?

How long should I wait too turn it on after doing exactly this ?

Can this be used the same for transmission gasket on a turbo 350??

This goes against everything I have been told and taught. I'm not saying it doesn't work because I haven't tried it yet. I would like to see it tried on a set of steel covers.

That is less than 25 ft. Lbs

Lol NOT 25 foot lbs.