Tuesday via telephonic conversation I ordered a valve cover gasket to replace one that has been on and off too many times. Picked it up Friday to find it is cork; "val-Pro improved Cork to be more precise, VS-12680". I asked why cork, answer; "I don't know, why not use the cork?" Explaining it's a solid lifter engine, and I'm still sorting out best lash setting for aftermarket cam, current "rubber"gasket has gone through five or more on/off cycles in 2500 miles, and is too compressed won't seal, cork can't be re used, it tends to stick makes a mess to clean off of cover and head. So the guy looks for rubberized reusable gasket, O Reilly doesn't list one any longer. Went home with the cork as I need to get this thing back together, looked up Rock auto listing, their rubberized valve cover gasket is on jobber discontinuation, 4 left... Now 3 left.

Oh, counter guy on order call sounded puzzled when I asked for one gasket, I let it pass. Same when I went to pick it up; "why not get two, don't you need one for both sides?" It's a Dodge Dart not a V16 Packard is what I wanted to say, but put the mouth filter on, and said its a six, still confusion persisted with deer in headlight look returned... A straight six you have V8 and V6 on the brain don't you? Kid said never thought of that. Just another old guy interface with the 20 something smart phone powered generation.

So I checked a few other part suppliers on line once home, same, looks like reusable rubber is on it way out for our application.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

no more rubber ones at rockauto…………..


There's always this:

https://realgaskets.com/product/valve-cover-gasket-39/

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I always had good luck with cork gaskets, I prefer the thicker ones that you used to get through Clifford. I would glue them to the valve cover and use them forever, and I tend to take the valve cover off more often that most people would.

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If you didn't drive it there, it's not a street car.

I am cheap and I reuse gaskets all the time. Even head gaskets. I have a bunch hanging on a hook on my garage wall, including a rubber VC gasket. It sure would be nice if someone made a composite valve cover gasket like the new trans pan gaskets (rubber over steel core). Until then, looks like it is time to start skimming the cork with some RTV sealant once the cork gets too compressed. Really, we should be happy we can still get new gaskets for this economy engine that hasn't been produced in over 20 years.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Cork can be reused, although not as many times as rubber, in my experience. The keys are not to overtorque the VC, and to make sure the surfaces are straight.

They made 13 million Slant 6 engines, so I doubt the parts will be going away any time soon.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I've reconditioned rubber gaskets (although I haven't tried the valve cover gasket yet)

Get your cleaning jar of paint thinner.
Stuff gasket in jar and let sit for a couple of days.

Gasket swells up and gets really really big.

Take gasket out and let dry for a couple of weeks (months).

The hardness and indentations may have miraculously gone away.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Ed (above) hit the nail on the head, Real Gaskets silicone works again and again, last one you'll ever buy. https://realgaskets.com/product/valve-cover-gasket-39/

Yes, it cost $43, but I bought one and haven't bought another gasket since. I have the Aussie Speed (heavy) cast valve cover which is too heavy for some, but I like it because, unlike the Clifford cast ones now made in China and often warped, the Aussie one is dead on straight. Since I know my Aussie cover and gasket will last forever; I RTV'd the gasket to the valve cover. Now I can take it off to adjust the valves, and slap it back on, no problems, no leaks, no sealant. I also used 90 degree heater hoses at the firewall to avoid any interference with the valve cover. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/151192512 ... 520721868/

Brian

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https://tinyurl.com/yynpj4v2

Search for the real gasket part number on the internet.

You may find it cheaper...……………………….

and I don't have one, if it matters.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Thanks for that, Brian! I might buy a couple of those.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

LOLnope. Silicone is not the right material for the job. For that reason, the so-called "real" gaskets tend to fail.

"RealGaskets" is what happens when someone pretends himself into a materials engineer. "Ooh, yeah, silicone, that's good stuff, I'll use that!".

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

What would be really nice, since we are identifying niceness, is if someone made an aluminum head with big valves and good ports and an O-Ring sealed valve cover that uses no gasket at all. If you look at the average valve cover gasket on just about any 60's vintage engine, it's a wonder any of them seal at all.

Mine hasn't failed so far, it's been 4 years. I'll keep an eye on it, but every time I've pulled the cover (not that often admittedly) it looks like new.

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https://tinyurl.com/yynpj4v2