[Early_S_Man]

There seems to be some confusion about what gaskets are OEM and which aren't! The factory has gone through at least four different styles of gasket, and the latest style is what some call the 'green silicone bead' style. The 'silicone' gaskets that some have mentioned here are the Red, solid, 199% silicone gaskets from 'Real Gaskets' ... and they aren't OEM, but do seem to work well when installed at the very low specified 48 in-lb torque.

The factory spec books did not even have a torque specified for valve covers prior to 31 March 1981, when the '78-'81 SC spec book was published, and by that time the green-beaded gaskets were in use. The specified 6 lb-ft torque is less that what is used on the M6 studs for the sump drain plate nuts!!! I have never found it necessary to use a torque wrench on valve covers, but it would take a 1/4 inch drive model to be accurate at such a low torque level, and I do have one of those, a beam-style indicating torque wrench that works well for sump plates, chain covers, and rocker-arm shafts. Forget trying to use the same 3/8" drive torque wrench that you use on CV-joint bolts!