Leaking Rocker Cover gaskets

[Megaman]

Hi lads,

I'm using rubber rocker cover gaskets for my 308, (might be Specos) using standard Holden rocker covers however the passenger side cover leaks right at the back, closest to the heater box, last extractor pipe.

From what I can tell, these two back screws may have been over tightened, not sure but likely the cause of my problem. Now I don't know what the fix for that is, warped covers?? but would anyone have any tricks up their sleeve on how to stop this area from leaking?

I would think some sort of adhesive between gasket and rocker cover might do the trick?


Any thoughts?

[Smitty2]

rubber rocker gaskets...??? on a holden V8?

hint... Superglue the bloody things to the covers

got that hint from a couple of old time (well known) Holden V8 race engine builders
even caught one STANDING on one of the covers to help the glue set

I do it... mine don't leak

[RedTaxi]

^^ The VN onwards all had rubber gaskets. I bolt them on with RTV gasket silicone under the gasket to stick them to the head. Each time rocker covers come off the gasket stays glued to the head. The old tin covers can lose their shape a bit though.

[GtoGeoff]

That is the problem with pressed steel rocker covers. They distort easily at the bolt holes. The cheap Chinese chromed ones are worse, thinner metal. I always try to find alum rocker coves if possible. They have thicker gasket rails & clamp the gasket more uniformly.

[Smitty2]

That is the problem with pressed steel rocker covers. They distort easily at the bolt holes. The cheap Chinese chromed ones are worse, thinner metal. I always try to find alum rocker coves if possible. They have thicker gasket rails & clamp the gasket more uniformly.

always use little mothers with tin covers

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[cluxford]

^^^^ Load spreaders and RTV for the win.

[Mick_in_oz]

Cast Alum covers and rubber gaskets, non-glued! If they do start to leak you can flip them up side down and then go again, and if they happen to weep a bit down the track, flip them again, and so on..... I've had the one set of rubber gaskets on various engines for the last 20 years and no leaks.

Standard VN rubber gaskets? The VN Group-A stuff I had had thick paper gaskets that were coated.

[gtrboyy]

rubber rocker gaskets...??? on a holden V8?

hint... Superglue the bloody things to the covers

got that hint from a couple of old time (well known) Holden V8 race engine builders
even caught one STANDING on one of the covers to help the glue set

I do it... mine don't leak

You stand on rocker covers too so they don't leak Smitty?

Had a super thick rubber gasket during my bushpig 202 era for roller rocker adjustments...gasket didn't leak but the fancy taiwanese chrome rocker cover leaked liked a mofo'

[RLF]

I dont believe rubber gaskets seal as well on the cast finish of early heads.

Best thing I ever did was buy the kilkenny alloy rocker covers, used cork gaskets, trimmed the tabs off the gaskets and glued them to the rocker covers just so they dont move around on install.

[Smitty2]

You stand on rocker covers too so they don't leak Smitty?

,..........................

naaah.. not silly,
I grab a couple of 10kg press plates and leave them on top of the covers overnight when I glue mine

[Megaman]

Thanks guys.

I might just give RTV a crack to try seal it. I'm just uncertain whether to stick it between the heads and gasket or between the gasket and cover. From what I can remember it looks like it's from above the tab so I'll double check. I'm leaning towards between the gasket and the cover at this stage.

The Kilkenny covers look great. I always wanted those but I'm reluctant to drop $500 on those when $10 RTV might still work.

[Smitty2]

................ I'm reluctant to drop $500 .... when $10 RTV might still work.

so say all of us !