Stuck valve covers

[morencycollege]

I cannot get either valve cover off my ‘73. I’ve pounded on them with rubber mallet, won’t budge. I also tried getting a stiff putty knife up underneath and can’t even get it in there. I’m pretty sure it’s a cork gasket because a little piece of what looked like cork broke free. Does anyone have any experience or advice on removing these?

 

[SteveL]

I've always had good luck with the rubber mallet. What type of valve covers are they?

 

[morencycollege]

Looks to me as the originals, most everything on this truck is original

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, I bet they glued both sides of the valve cover gasket. I hope once the cover starts to lift it will come free. I would tap a long gasket scraper under the valve cover and wiggle the scraper. Try not to distort the valve cover flange. Good luck

 

[reamer]

Forgot a bolt or two?

 

[ugly74]

sometimes I've had to lay a 2x4 against the valve cover, so that i can wallop it harder

 

[blubuckaroo]

Once you get it off, use contact cement on the valve cover side and grease on the engine side. Never glue on both sides.

 

[bigmuddy]

I bet they used the old red head sealer. I had an oil pan that was sealed with that stuff and it took some serious beating and prying to get it to come off!

 

[morencycollege]

Thanks, 2x4 worked

 

[reamer]

New Valve cover gaskets from Fell-Pro are installed DRY, no sealer, RTV or contact cement. they do work great...

 

[gr8scott]

new valve cover gaskets from fell-pro are installed dry, no sealer, rtv or contact cement. They do work great...

x2........

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

Can't beat those felpro valve cover gaskets. They're reusable too, I've had the same pair for a few years now with no leaks and the covers have been off a few times.

Sent from my SM-G981V using Tapatalk

 

[morencycollege]

The Blue ones or the black rubber ones?

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, I use the blue ones. Good luck

 

[reamer]

the Blue ones Intake gasket is the same, but toss the front and rear and use a big bead of RTV (use usual)