Gasket dressing use

[swiftdrivr]

I'm consoling myself about not being at the Glen, so I figure I'll fix that valve cover gasket leak, get the car ready for next time. So I pull it off and it looks ...great. No reason for the leak. But now my aluminum head has exhaust gasket stuck firmly all over it.
So I scrape and scrape, and finally get the gasket material off the head, and hopefully haven't gouged it to the point of creating an exhaust leak. And I'm thinking; does it really have to be such a pain? Will the valve cover leak when I get it reassembled, and I get to do it all again? Maybe I should coat the valve cover gasket with hylomar? Maybe there is a gasket dressing for the header gasket?
Does anyone use Hylomar blue on either of these gaskets, or something else that seals but cleans up easily?
thanks for the advise,
Jim

[stephen wilson]

Well, my 2 cents. On my CFF 1600 I use a cork gasket "glued" to the valve cover with RTV, and a thin smear of thick vacuum grease (Silicone?) on the head side. Doesn't stick or leak, even after being re-used many times. I think the key to longevity is not to over tighten it.
Steve

[kea]

If you use Hylomar on the head side, removal of the valve cover gasket will become easy.
Hylomar is a sealant and not an adhesive.
I used Hylomar on the head gaskets (and valve cover) on my 1600 watercooled Super-Vee, with it's alloy head. Gasket removal was always easy.

[Roland V. Johnson]

Do you still have the steel valve cover? If so you should look at the discussion about the new cast aluminum ones.

[swiftdrivr]

Any suggestions for the exhaust header gasket? I would guess the heat would make Hylomar less acceptable, and unfortunately, the exhaust header gasket is the one that was hard to remove. The Valve cover just leaks.---Jim

[TimW]

Originally Posted by swiftdrivr

Any suggestions for the exhaust header gasket? I would guess the heat would make Hylomar less acceptable, and unfortunately, the exhaust header gasket is the one that was hard to remove. The Valve cover just leaks.---Jim

I just used the hi-temp RTV on the exhaust flanges. It was recommended that would increase the life of the header as using the gasket would promote the flanges warping faster. It is important to not use too much RTV on those flanges though...

HTH.

Tim

[brownslane]

Originally Posted by swiftdrivr

Any suggestions for the exhaust header gasket? I would guess the heat would make Hylomar less acceptable, and unfortunately, the exhaust header gasket is the one that was hard to remove. The Valve cover just leaks.---Jim

I use a product called "Ultra Copper". It is RTV impregnated with copper. Works great!
Specifically designed for exhausts.

[swiftdrivr]

Do you use Ultra Copper on a gasket, or instead of a gasket?
How much do you use?
Do it come off easily?
Thanks,
Jim

[brownslane]

I use ultra copper as just a smear on gaskets. Presently I have a broken exhaust stud on the van...and it is impossible to get at unless I remove the motor. So, I removed the exhaust gasket, smeared a bit of ultra copper on both sides and reinstalled. No leaks any more.

The sealant is flexible enough to move with the gasket...Same deal with installing donut seals. Just a light smear and there will be no leaks.

I used to race two strokes. The exhaust chambers are never bolted together; they will always break. So they are all slip-fit joints held together with springs. A smear of ultra copper and the joints are allowed to slip and move, but the sealant flexes with no leaks.

So, I would recommend that you apply a thin smear on existing gaskets.

It also cleans up as well as any rtv adhesive.

Best, Tom

[Pop Chevy]

That's good advice. Cleans off pretty easily. Try it you'll like it !

[swiftdrivr]

Does anyone know if the cast aluminum valve cover fits under Swift DB-1 headers?---jim