Valve Cover Gasket Time!
 

9 years old, 124,500 miles...


So I power washed my engine, and again smelled a little oil. Now able to see it, I popped the hood and saw a spot on one of my exhaust manifolds. Rubbed my fingers under the valve covers, and tehy came up black...

So I know how to do this... but do you guys have any advice? Do you guys use any RTV and if so, what type?



Also, what is the torque on those bolts? Do you guys just put them on there with a quarter drive set and lightly torque, or do I need to get a quarter inch drive torque wrench to make sure I get it right?

And everyone I see lists "Without grommets" Are these the pieces that go into the valve covers and should I repalce those while I'm at it?

I just bought a set for wife's 2005 Impala SS, Fel-Pro Gaskets VS50465R
they came with the grommets and gaskets..

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/thumb/get?bid...mj%2b0A&fbn=CC

I just torque em a bit tight with a 1/4 inch. My front one has been good but my back one started to leak again. Make sure you get factory ones, not felpro.

Seriously? I've never had an issue with a Fel-Pro in my life....

Mine were replaced almost two years ago and I bought the GM ones. I think mine were a revised gasket since I have the Supercharged engine.

Wayne

I've never had an issue with felpro either. I think i'm gonna do mine in the spring just to be safe because I see a bit of oil down near the intake.

Neither have I but for some reason both of mine started leaking. Replaced the front with a stock one and its good now.

Cowboy, I don't think anyone answered what the "grommets" are for. They are the rubber pieces that go between the valve cover and the bolts.

As for Fel-Pro, I usually prefer Fel-Pro gaskets. I believe those are the ones I currently have on my valve covers after the mods I did this past spring. At the moment, no issues throughout this summer.

But, if others have had issues and found a better gasket, go with their advise.

Keep in mind, the "GM" gaskets are normally another manufacturer's gasket in a GM package. It could be FelPro, it could be Mr. Gasket..... It could be some other brand.

I used a small amount of RTV in the grooves.

As did I. I figured it wouldn't hurt