I'd use a wire wheel in a grinder. I'd replace the gasket with a Felpro neoprene gasket. Install it dry (no glue or sealant). You'll be able to reuse the gasket. While you have the valve cover off check and make sure the mating surface on the valve cover is not bent around bolt holes from overtightening. If they are, you can careful hammer them flat.
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1970 Fastback (to be finished outside as a Boss 302 clone)
393 Windsor AFR 205 heads with 11.5:1 compression
Tremec TKO 5 Speed
Link to my Hub Garage and blog about my car http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/maxum96
This is the gasket I purchased. I don't know if its neoprene or not because it was the only fel-pro gasket available for my car. I hear mixed things about using silicone so I'm not sure what to do. Should I be concerned about cleaning the inside of my valve cover as well now that its painted?
+1 on the Fel-Pro PermaDry gaskets. The one piece oil pan gasket is awesome as well.
When I assembled my engine I used those gaskets on my valve covers and my oil pan. I installed them dry, per the instructions, and they leaked like hell (valve covers AND oil pan). I removed them, cleaned them and re-installed them (valve covers and oil pan) using a sealant. Have not had any leaks since. So, even though they say to install them dry I highly recommend you use sealant on them or you "may" be removing your valve cover again.
My engine had just been rebuilt and everything was new (to include the heads, valve covers and oil pan), so there was no material on the mating surfaces and nothing was bent or distorted to cause it to not seal.
I'm not saying not to use the gaskets as they are very good gaskets. Just letting you know I had to use sealant on them to get them to seal.
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Last edited by Black Gold 380R; 01-05-2013 at 07:03 PM.
That's odd. I didnt use any and I don't have any leaks. Might be hit or miss. Regardless they are great gaskets. The ones pictured above are not it. Permadry gaskets are blue.
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-Brett
1968 Mustang coupe 302
Getting ready for a 5.0 roller swap
This is the gasket I purchased. I don't know if its neoprene or not because it was the only fel-pro gasket available for my car. I hear mixed things about using silicone so I'm not sure what to do. Should I be concerned about cleaning the inside of my valve cover as well now that its painted?
That's the neoprene gasket. I've used those gaskets for years. I saw my dad use them in the 70's. Not once have I seen nor had an issue with them. If you use a sealant or silicon, you're just putting a bandaid on the problem. If you install it correctly and it leaks, then the mating surface of the valve cover is bent from being overtightened. It will need to be straightened as I mentioned in my earlier post. If you use silicon to seal it, you are risking getting silicon in the engine and potential clogging an oil passage leading to engine failure. I've seen that happen more than once.
P.S. Where in Colorado are you? I'm up near Loveland.
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1970 Fastback (to be finished outside as a Boss 302 clone)
393 Windsor AFR 205 heads with 11.5:1 compression
Tremec TKO 5 Speed
Link to my Hub Garage and blog about my car http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/maxum96
That's the neoprene gasket. I've used those gaskets for years. I saw my dad use them in the 70's. Not once have I seen nor had an issue with them. If you use a sealant or silicon, you're just putting a bandaid on the problem. If you install it correctly and it leaks, then the mating surface of the valve cover is bent from being overtightened. It will need to be straightened as I mentioned in my earlier post. If you use silicon to seal it, you are risking getting silicon in the engine and potential clogging an oil passage leading to engine failure. I've seen that happen more than once.
P.S. Where in Colorado are you? I'm up near Loveland.
I'm north Denver. I was told to let the gasket sit overnight with the gasket silicone. I would prefer not to use the silicone if I don't have to. How tight should I tighten the bolts?
Thanks
Just be careful not to get any pieces of old hardened gasket into the engine while you are scraping..I would use some rags to cover inside the head until you are finished...I'm not sure on the six banger but the V-8 torques for the bolts are 3-5 ft/lbs..I have never used a torque wrench on valve cover bolts though.Just snug them down.You will feel the gasket compress and then the bolt will suddenly begin to get very tight..Once you feel that stop!
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68 J code sprint, 408W with vic jr top end, Pro Systems 950HP Holley carb,Camshaft Innovations custom solid roller ,Hooker 6208s,Toploader,4:11 Detroit locker...
11.82@ 120.85mph
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Valve cover is off...
