I recently purchased some Composite LT4 valve covers from a CZ28 member, everything is in great shape except the gaskets seem to be stretched a bit and do not fit into the recess of the cover. Any ideas on how to get them to constrict a bit and/or source new ones?



Thanks,
Chris

 

Those valve covers look similar to the ones I have and the lt1 felpro gaskets didnt fit they were too small so you had to stretch them out and try and trap gasket between the cover and the head before it popped out of the recess fun times... I was at a local performance parts store that had the right gaskets I believe its a SBC gasket but its made out of a composite material and it fit perfect. It's been a while but I'll see if I can get the part#

 

I found them they are mr gasket brand I could only get the sku number maybe you can cross check brands its MRG168 87-97 SBC v8 center bolt design

 

Thanks dude. I also found a part number listed in an old thread on a Corvette forum for a gasket set that should work (Fel-Pro VS50443R Valve Cover Set). I searched it and found some available on Amazon for $15. I was going to order those, but I'll also look around for the Mr. Gasket set you reference.

Chris

 

That FelPro number is what I have archived for LT4 covers. The GM number is 10108625 for one gasket (retail over $20). The FelPro should be cheaper.

 

They stretch when they get hot and it helps them seal, but it makes them a bitch to deal with when you're working with the valve covers. See if you can chill them a bit and shrink them back down. I had the same problem so it's not just you, also other guys have noticed it, but it is something you can work with once you know what's happening.

 

Here's a link to the correct fel-pro set. I just installed these on my stock composite valve covers. Fit perfectly.

Fel-Pro QVS50443R - Fel-Pro PermaDryPlus Valve Cover Gaskets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

That's cool that they have a stiffener in them making them much easier to deal with, but what do you think they mean by "not intended for race applications"?

 

I just read the description and I assume that in that case (rigid carrier) they are talking about the "grommets" for the center mount bolts.

Not sure what the "not intended for race applications" is all about. Likely a disclaimer that these are meant for normal use and may fail in extreme conditions. Although it's the exact opposite of "off road use only" for many parts, though both equally intended to be a CYA (cover your ***) disclaimer.

Chris

 

The felpro valve cover gaskets are definitely not rigid -- they're basically the same as the stock ones. They do seal very well though. The gromets seal better than the factory ones as well.

 

I ended up getting the FelPro gaskets, one fit great and the other was just a touch too big. I reseated, swapped, etc but one was just a bit too big. I picked up a 2nd set from a local Auto Zone. One fit great, the other was WAY too big (similar to the larger of the two in the pics above. Needless to say, I kept the 2 that fit and returned the 2 stretched. Is it possible they've been sitting around for so long that they might have stretched or is QA that bad? Either way, I finally have 2 valve cover gaskets that fit.

Chris

 

So, what do you do when one of the gaskets, stretches? Replace them or can you freeze it, to shrink it back down?

 

Sometimes when the gaskets wont just fit, you just have to work them a bit and usually they will work. I had the same issue with an LS valve cover gasket and after a little time it fit fine.

 

A spray adhesive works wonders for new gaskets as well.