valve cover gasket replacement

[micbrody]

I know this is a basic question:
I have a tiny, weepy oil leak at valve cover gasket. My plan was just to remove cover; clean up surface; use some hi-temp gasket maker.

Question:
1) does valve cover simply come off by removing the two thumb/hex centered screws?
2) what are the other things on the cover: there seems to be a threaded stud that has nothing on it; and there are some "holes". When I take off over will it be obvious?
Below is picture:
The thumb/hex centered screw is roughly in middle of photo. The stud is at 5:00 (almost head on to camera) relative to thumb screw; the hole (filled in with screw?) is at 7:00 relative to thumb screw.

[carl]

Yes, the valve covers are each held on by those two large headed allen screws. You might have to tap the covers lightly if they are mildly stuck on their gaskets. The small threaded holes and studs are to attach ancillary items on the passenger side such as a spark plug wire stand off bracket or on the driver side the throttle linkage on mid 70s spiders. They have nothing to do with attaching the cover and the threaded holes do not pass through to the interior of the cam chamber. I would not use any sealer on this joint, just a fresh gasket and the right torque on the hold down screw....which is a lot less than most folks use. Also make sure the gasket is properly aligned in the joint, it's easy for them to slip around and squish out slightly from the joint.

[AriK]

A new gasket is always preferable.
When my head pooled with oil during a road trip i had no spare gasket and i found success by flipping the existing gasket upside down and re-using that. Took our time cleaning all surfaces of oil and used a small, and i mean i really minute amount of sealant on the gasket. Fastened the cam cover nuts very hand tight, no wrenching there. Like Carl says watch the gasket doesn't slide, it slides easy. Two years later, the same rubber gasket still holds but i keep a new one in the trunk just in case.
This was during a road trip, it was make-it-or-break-it. Use a new gasket if you can, no sealant.

[AriK]

Double post

[micbrody]

Thanks for quick replies.

Curious: is the opposition to liquid gasket from a functional reason? Or aesthetic/purest reason?

[AriK]

The new gasket being rubber (someone correct me if im using the wrong term) bonds itself with the heat, sort of like the seal on an oil filter.

[Fiatlanta]

Use a cork gasket?

[micbrody]

Who sells these rubber gaskets? Is there a gasket set that combines the best of the best? If not, what gasket set do you recommend ?

[Fiatlanta]

I changed mine out a few months ago and you can order the gaskets from any of the standard parts stores near you, but IIRC all I found were the cork gaskets. Not sure about specifically the rubber gaskets.

[aj81spider]

Don't use the cork gaskets. I started with those and had leaks. Autoricambi has the rubber ones:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/GA1-4 ... er-Gasket/

Also be very careful not to over torque the knobs that hold the covers down. If they are torqued too much you will get leaks (ask me how I know). I hand tighten them and then use an allen wrench to do another half turn.

[carl]

My aversion to sealer is not scientific, I just don't like adding sealer if not needed. Just another level of complexity. Plus the covers come off whenever you want to check the valve clearances so I don't want the cover "glued" on. Most folks put too much sealer on so then you have little pieces of sealer that fall into the cam box and start plugging up oil passages. If done right you don't need the sealer and finally I cringe every time I see orange or blue sealant seams around motor parts.

[RRoller123]

Don't use the cork gaskets. I started with those and had leaks. Autoricambi has the rubber ones:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/GA1-4 ... er-Gasket/

Also be very careful not to over torque the knobs that hold the covers down. If they are torqued too much you will get leaks (ask me how I know). I hand tighten them and then use an allen wrench to do another half turn.

+1 on that, and you don't need any sealer with the rubber gaskets if everything is flat.

Pete

[Skyebot]

Question here - prior to removal of covers in preparation for new seals, do you typically drain the oil and do a full oil change, or is the valve chamber only filled with oil while running?

As you can tell, this is my first time attempting this and want to avoid unnecessary oil change AND dumping oil everywhere…

Thanks!

Skye

[18Fiatsandcounting]

You can change the valve cover gaskets without draining the oil. There will be some residual oil in the camboxes and on the bottom of the covers so you might get a drip or two, but that's easy to deal with.

Don't overtighten the two valve cover "bolts" when you put it back together.

-Bryan

[Skyebot]

My first inquiry via this forum. (you guys are awesome and fast!)

Will let you know how it all goes and thank you!

Skye

1978 Fiat 124 Spider (Red)