Silicone valve cover gaskets - way to go?

jet911 · 01:26 PM

I'm about to do a valve adjustment (first time on my P-car for me), and I need to order valve cover gaskets. I did a search and found a couple of threads on the topic recommending silicone gaskets. There appear to be several types. I've seen silicone coated which are green, some with silicone beads, some are red (I believe they are the ones offered by our host and can be re-used for $47).

What has been the experience of you guys? Which are the best?

TIA for input.

PeteT · 01-27-2005, 01:33 PM

Jim-
I have had good luck with the reuseable kind. They did help the leaks. Make sure your covers are flat and follow the directions on the package. IIRC the torque setting is lower than factory.
Pete

jet911 · 01-27-2005, 01:47 PM

Thanks Pete!
I believe that is the way I will go.

scottb · 01-27-2005, 01:54 PM

I have them on the helicopter. They're much more "forgiving" of uneven surfaces when compared to paper gaskets, but you have to be careful of overtightening the covers. If you put too much torque on the bolts, the gaskets tend to squeeze out. Otherwise, they're great!

jet911 · 01-27-2005, 07:32 PM

Thanks Scott!

Good advice on the overtightening, I'll pay close attention.

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

And they will cut as well if over tightened . . . ask me how I know

deoxford · 01-27-2005, 08:39 PM

Scott b
tell me more about the helicopter.
Derek

scottb · 01-27-2005, 09:30 PM

Derek: What would you like to know?

My other "ride."

randywebb · 01-27-2005, 09:40 PM

vintage!

scottb · 01-27-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by randywebb
vintage!

1954 Bell 47 G. It's older than me, but much sweeter!

aigel · aigel's Garage

I am no fan of silicone.

If your mating surfaces are flat, the basic gaskets that come in your valve adjustment kit (available at PP) suffice. The whole kit is much less than your silicone gasket cost. And will you really re-use gaskets that were 15k miles on your car and got oily and grimy when you took them off? The average 911 probably goes 3 years between valve adjusts....

George

sessa · 01-28-2005, 06:04 AM

I'd say go for it, I had the regular gaskets with a small amount of leakage, not much but very frustrating. I put on the new re usable ones no leaks. all thing being equal including the touque wrench, I'd say use them!!

deoxford · 01-28-2005, 07:57 AM

Scott,
That is really cool, I what to buy a old plane or helicopter when I grow up!
Derek

sammyg2 · 01-28-2005, 08:25 AM

I use the red silicone gaskets and will continue to do so.
My engine is completely leak free (knock on wood) and I like it that way, it wasn't before I switch to the red gaskets.

If you use them, a few things to remember:
Install them dry. No oil, no sealant, as dry as possible. When re-using htem, wash them with soap or something to get them oil free again.
DO NOT OVERTORQUE.
Around 3.5 to 4 ft lbs is enough. Tightenening them more will only cause them to try to squeeze out.
In a perfect world you don't need them but this isn't a perfect world. Gasket surfaces are not perfectly flat or clean or tightened, that is when the red gaskets help.