318 leaky valve covers
 

hi ive noticed that i have a leak in my valve covers on my 318. i was wondering how hard it is to change the valve cover gasket on it? Do i just take the valve covers off and scrape the engine put the new valve cover gasket in place and then put the valve covers on and thats it or is it just worth it to go to a mechanic to do it.

thats pretty much it. make sure that you get all the old gasket off of the covers and head, maybe apply some gasket sealer (a red spray that comes in a spray can), and put it all back together. snug the bolts or if you have an in lb. torque wrench i think the setting is around 15 in lbs. or so (i go til they are snug and never had a problem).

I like to use cork gaskets only because I have had better luck with them than rubber. Either will work though.

Make SURE that the V C is straight and not warped. Better YET ... pick up a set of cast-alum V C's ... those seal-up great.

If you do decide to go with the better gasket, cork, do not use a gasket sealer on them. You could use it, but cork is designed to go in dry and expand and fill in the gaps by absorbing oil. Just something I learned by doing it wrong.

i'll have to remember that for the next time i use a cord gasket, Commando.

I didn't think it was a big deal until I was told how cork is supposed to work, and I realized that the cork had absorbed all the sealer I put on it.

Have you seen any leaks or problems 78D200, as I am going to have to pull those gaskets off when I remove the heads and wasn't sure if I should replace them or not as I have not run the engine since I incorrectly installed them 7 months ago.

Hey guys i like to use the rubber composite gaskets with the steel core in them and use rtv on the vc side to keep in place and it never squishes out on me and i can usually take them off about ten times without having any leakes after the fact :D as far as the cork , commando is right do not use rtv or anything else as it makes it squiosh out of position and wow the leakes you will have ( ive had it happen ) hehehe

I have reused cord valve cover gaskets before as long as the motor had not been run. after it runs once and gets up to temp, I had to buy new ones.

I like those too but I have never been able to get one to seal right the first time. Thats why I love cord. First time everytime they have sealed for me.

Challenger, are you talking about head gaskets? As those are the only ones I am aware of that have any core in them.

I definitely recommend using the Gasgasinch (I think that's how its spelled) its made by Edelbrock, and I just tried removing my intake I put on using this stuff and the seal between the heads, valley pan, and intake is so strong I Couldn't lift it off. I hope nothing rips, tears, or valley pan break when I take it off later today.

commando > fel-pro and mopar per: make valve cover gaskets with steel core in them / go to summit and check out them they should sell them

Oh ok, never seen that before, I will check that out.