Help- Reaching for the RTV Sealant

[Cal2121]

I've read numerous posts about leaking valve covers on the FE's, and I think I've tried everything except RTVing the valve covers to the heads. I've tried two different types of gaskets (most recently Edelbrock Valve Cover Gaskets 7568), I bought cast aluminum valve covers (Edelbrock Elite II Series Valve Covers 4277), and I even bought some of the valve cover spreaders.

I installed the valve covers as follows: clean the heads good; RTV the gaskets to the valve covers; install valve covers; torque bolts to spec.

Despite all of my trying, I still get small leaks at the outside cab-side corners of the valve covers. I can see where the oil is seeping, so it does not appear to be an intake valley leak.

Any other ideas?

Thank you

[Ranchero50]

Clean parts with brake clean, then a 1/4" bead of Permatex Ultra RTV around the seal area. Let it set up for a couple minutes and install normally.

[Cal2121]

Thank you, Sir!

[tnlprt]

studs on the valve covers
cork gaskets
Aluminum valve covers

No sealer
no spreader bars

No leaks

If they do leak brake clean cleans it in 30 seconds

Cork gaskets are cheap at rockauto and take 15 minutes to change

[Cal2121]

I haven’t tried the cork gaskets. Maybe that’s worth a shot before I try the rtv.

Thank you