Rocker Cover Gaskets,

Post by **Coops** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:04 pm

right have tried sealing my rocker cover gaskets again without any joy,
the passengers one still drips oil after a good hard drive, (was ok until I took covers off to do charger work)
So im now thinking that maybe its time to change the rubber gaskets for some new ones,
BUT there seems to be loads now, after searching good ole eGay.
any recommendations? and ones to avoid through experience???

Blown v8 · Post by **Blown v8** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:12 pm

When I had my "offy" covers on mine,they where always leaking with the rubber gaskets,I went to the cork gaskets,they helped,but never really cured it !I eventually changed to a larger (aftermarket) cover,I believe this was made to a better quality,it was flat ! I've used cork gaskets with it,and I've had no leaks

Post by **Coops** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:29 pm

cheers mate,

these never leaked until we disturbed them, but the head face the gasket sits on has marked the rubber ones over the years and I think this is now where the leak is coming from, drivers side one went back on and is fine leak free,.

I have found later style gaskets, and also early ones now, looks like we fitted later style ones to mine last time round, may try a set of the older style rubber ones that don't have the lip.

Blown v8 · Post by **Blown v8** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:03 pm

Could you post a link to the gaskets ?
When this rain stops,I've got some new covers to fit !

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:48 pm

I used Land Rover Genuine Parts rubber ones. No issues so far.....

Chris.

Post by **Coops** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 7:07 pm

I had no problems until now,
I think she is due some new ones lol.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:24 pm

I always use Cork gaskets. I glue the gaskets to the rockers first with evo stick and make sure they are firmly in place. Then I fit the covers with blue hylomar or similar and nip them down.

My past experience has been leaks always at the rear lower corners of the rocker covers which drips onto the exhaust and smokes

The cork gaskets on the old 4.6 have been used on 4 different blocks since 2006 with no leaks. When i had to fit those ugly square rocker covers on the 3.9 I used cork again last year and still no leaks.

Post by **Coops** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:48 pm

that's where mines leaking pel and doing the same thing lol

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:05 pm

Coops wrote:that's where mines leaking pel and doing the same thing lol

Try Cork then Coops. Just make sure the rocker faces are clean , clean, clean !! I use carb cleaner on mine. Use Evo stick to give a full coating of the faces on the rocker cover and then press the gaskets into place. You can then either leave them in place to cure and tape them if required to make sure they dont move OR peel them back off and wait for the glue on both surfaces to go pretty much dry. This is when you can refit them. But get it right first time cos they will now stick solid at first touch. If you use extra glue that seeps out at the edges its no problem as this can be trimmed when set. And it better to have more than less IMO ! Then you should have a pair of gaskets that are stuck rock solid to the covers. If they aint stuck rock solid you have done it wrong

When fitting the covers make sure the head faces are clean as well as the cork gasket face. Use cleaner on the cork if you feel or see any oil or grease. Then put the hylomar or similar on the rear ends of each head. I normally put it on and then dab it with my finger to make sure its an even coat around both corners up to the bolt holes. I then coat the whole of the face of each gasket and stick the covers on. I normally nip the covers down then wait 24 hours before nipping them down again.

This was the most annoying problem I had back in the early days along with rear valley gasket oil leaks. I've got both of them licked now though

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:16 pm

+1. If using cork ones, glue them to the rocker cover with a decent contact adhesive. The stuff Lidl sells is like the old Evostick - I don't think much of the present stuff.

But rubber ones are probably a better bet.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:28 pm

Dave!
I've got several different sets of rubber gaskets. Some are all rubber and some have steel tubes inserted through the bolt holes. The ones with the steel inserts look like they will not compress very well so I've chucked them in the corner of the garage in the scrap pile. The all rubber ones are in the emergency spares box.

I guess that one of the problems is engine parts so old that they may have distorted. ?

Robrover · Post by **Robrover** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:41 am

I'm using Felpro gaskets which I got from TRS and they seem ok. I've reused them a number of times and as I have a spacer under each P6 rocker cover (to provide clearance for the Yella Terras) I use four gaskets (one each side of each spacer).

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:25 am

If a rubber gasket has distorted, glue it to the cover same as cork. Think you need the spacers with soft rubber to allow the screws to be tightened enough not to come loose. But I always use thread sealer on the bolts anyway, which locks them.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:39 pm

The steel tubes in the rubber gaskets are essential. They ensure that the gasket is compressed correctly without distortion. You just crank up the four bolts, and know the job is good!

Chris.

Post by **Coops** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:22 pm

when I tried the gaskets with the tubes in on the old style covers they leaked like a bastard, I had to take the tubes out and nip them up tighter, worked fine then,