Aluminum valve covers leaking

[kat]

I have had issues with a small leak from my drivers side valve cover for a while now. It seems to be coming from the bottom rear (close to fire wall). It seems that this has been an issue since I put on these valve covers in the picture. Ive tried cork/rubber/rubber with steel within the gasket. I've cleaned them every time I've changed gaskets. This last time I put a straight edge on the flat part that sits on head but couldn't see any warpage. The valve covers came with allen headed bolts with washers. I've looked to try to find a 'flange' type thing that spreads pressure from the bolt. I've even changed my PCV valve but didn't help. Its a small leak but its driving me crazy. At the end of my rope on what to do.
Has anyone had issues with this brand of valve covers?? Any suggestions would be great.

 

[73azbronco]

overtightened?

 

[neilvonarb]

I had the same exact issue with the same exact bolt (I think) with these covers. When I switched from the Fel-pro rubber to cork gaskets, that did the trick.

 

[kat]

I had the same exact issue with the same exact bolt (I think) with these covers. When I switched from the Fel-pro rubber to cork gaskets, that did the trick.

Did you change to standard bolts? It's still leaking with the cork gaskets.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I just remember those valve covers have a crazy LOW torque value. A lot of people over tighten them. It is only a few INCH-pounds when people are thinking foot-pounds.

 

[Wild horse 75]

What material heads do you have? Aluminum heads will want a rubber type gasket. Whereas steel heads will want a cork gasket. Also make sure your head doesn’t have anything wrong where you’re seeing the leak. If all else fails run a bead of the right stuff on the head side and let it seal it up.

 

[kat]

What material heads do you have? Aluminum heads will want a rubber type gasket. Whereas steel heads will want a cork gasket. Also make sure your head doesn’t have anything wrong where you’re seeing the leak. If all else fails run a bead of the right stuff on the head side and let it seal it up.

Steel heads and cork gasket. The engine is a crate engine with probably 20k miles so I would think the heads are fine

 

[69_Sport]

Try this:
Glue a cork gasket to the valve cover. The intention here is to permanently attach it. I use black rtv. Let it dry 24 hrs.
Then use thick grease - I use axle bearing grease - and apply a coating on the gasket that was glued to the valve cover.
Install the cover. Torque evenly, and be careful to not over-torque. After a few heat cycles, double check the bolts. If everything is flat it'll work like magic.

 

[Wild horse 75]

Steel heads and cork gasket. The engine is a crate engine with probably 20k miles so I would think the heads are fine

Mileage really doesn’t matter. There could be a small defect in the head in that area. Casting isn’t perfect.

 

[blade]

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80062-High-Gasket-Sealant/dp/B000HBGHB8/ref=asc_df_B000HBGHB8?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80470559180673&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070147492307&psc=1

This sealer works well with cork gaskets. It doesn't dry so you can remove the valve cover if you need to.

 

[kat]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I don't believe I over tightened bolts, but there is a chance I did. I have glued cork gaskets to valve covers and only been on for about 3 hours of run time. I might take them off and put some sealant on heads and put covers bake on. Does anyone know the thread size of valve cover bolts?? I might try to get some 'normal bolts' at hardware store to replace the Allen headed ones I have.
I'm going to do a closer inspection tomorrow, but I believe the only place they are leaking is drivers side rear.

 

[neilvonarb]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I don't believe I over tightened bolts, but there is a chance I did. I have glued cork gaskets to valve covers and only been on for about 3 hours of run time. I might take them off and put some sealant on heads and put covers bake on. Does anyone know the thread size of valve cover bolts?? I might try to get some 'normal bolts' at hardware store to replace the Allen headed ones I have.
I'm going to do a closer inspection tomorrow, but I believe the only place they are leaking is drivers side rear.

1/4-20. I used these. I think the allen head bolts that come with it are junk and the washers are too big.

 

[FORD*DIEHARD]

I'm having the same issue right now with the "Bronco " script valve covers with felpro permadry gasket.

Any recommendations on where to get a reliable set of black valve covers for a 302. I know you get what you pay for and " cheap things aren't good and good things aren't cheap", are valve covers one of the things or can a less expensive valve cover quality be just as good? The Bronco script covers were not cheap and I have read plenty of bad experiences, maybe others have had good luck with these.

Thank you in advance for your time/help,

Sonny

 

[Double66]

I had the same issue as well on my 302 and went back to a cork gasket. I went with a flange style bolt and put a little thread sealant (loctite 592) on the threads and haven't had any leaks since.

 

[Brush Hog]

I just installed new cast aluminum ford valve covers and used the felpro rubber with wire insert gaskets and arp stud bolts with some loctite. Think the studs made the difference in allowing the gasket to line up perfectly. Also used the triangle things that spread the pressure out. Didn’t go much over hand tight with the bolts/nuts. Solved my slow leak in back corner. Not a fan of the blue valve covers I bought. They are not ford blue. Same ones in black were twice the price.
FEL-PRO VS 13264 T Valve Cover... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNJ4A2/?tag=classicbroncos-20

Valve Cover Mini Tabs Fit for SBF... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B87L81JQ/?tag=classicbroncos-20

ARP 2007610 Alum Valve Cv Std Kt... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CFS1LS/?tag=classicbroncos-20

Ford Racing M-6582-LE302BL Blue... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TPJ5L8/?tag=classicbroncos-20

 

[kat]

Since I put the ARP on my valve covers have no leaks. I think the allen headed bolts that come with them aren't of good quality.