Hey guys, yesterday I was bored, so I decided to paint the valve covers on my 03' LS1 in GM Blue, and masked an LS1 logo into, they turned out pretty sweet lookin'. I had some trouble getting the gasket back onto the valve cover since they make the gasket about an inch too long for the gasket track. The F'in thing kept poppin out of the track, because it becomes slighty compressed in order to make the circumference of the valve cover gasket track. Of course I got fed up with something so stupid and simple, and decided to take some super glue and tack the gasket with glue into the track. This ended up working fine. Anyway I put them on again last night and drove down to taco bell and back. When I backed out of the garage this morning there was a pretty good amount of oil on the oil pan on the garage floor. I didn't have any time to check it out, so I had to wait until after school. When I got home today, I examined it a little more and obviously noticed there was a slight stream of oil coming from the back of both valve covers. I took the valve covers off and checked the gaskets to see if they were seated properly and yep they were. I couldn't find anything wrong with the gaskets, so I decided to put the valve covers back on thinking that maybe I had over or under tightened the valve cover bolts. I put the covers back on and tightened the bolts to 9ft/lbs as the factory specs say. I drove around some more today to see if was still leakin, got back, parked it and let it sit for 30 minutes in the garage. After the wait, I came out and what do you know more oil! It seems to be coming from the same spot to.

So do you guys have any tips? Did I screw up by glueing the gasket into the valve cover gasket track? I'm about to take some gasket sealent to this son of a bitch if it doesn't stop leaking after taking suggestions. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Ya man honestly just go buy some new gaskets. I tried to put an old one back in a long time ago and they do stretch like you have noticed. Well, I had to get my truck running and it was late and I had no new O-ring gaskets, so i just cut about an inch or so out of the old gasket and stuffed it back into the groove. For the little (3mm) gap that remained I took some RTV silicone gasket maker and squiezed it into that gap. I let it set for an hour and put it back on the truck -No leaks.

But, I had to get my truck running and that was last resort thing when no parts shops were open. If I were you, I'd just buy new gaskets.
Good Luck
Ryan

 

welcome to hell, i had the same problem, basically they stretch when you pull that flemsy *** gasket out of there so it NEVER goes back in right. i just cut mine where it meet perfect and then put some silicone in there to seal it up nice and it has worked fine since. and i pull my covers probably 3-4 times a month. the new gaskets are pretty cheap at a dealership though, i'm pretty sure i paid under 20 bucks.

 

The incredible growing gasket syndrome!! Those SOB's are OK til you let them pop out then they grow a couple inches. The only options are to cut out a piece or get some new ones and I vote for the new ones. I have even tried freezing them thinking they might contract when cold but that doesn't work either. As a side note, I had mine off day before yesterday and was lucky enough to keep them in the groove so I didn't have any probs.

 

They go back in real easy. Start in the midddle where the 3 rounded humps are work from 1 side at a time. Put the o ring in about 2 inches at a time pushing it back toward the starting point. Go half way around then back to the starting point and do the same thing for the rest of it. It will fit just right and won't come out till you pull it out.

 

i just don't remove the gasket anymore when i pull the covers off. only reason i pulled them out before was to paint the damn things....now i wish i hadn't removed them. Leater, i have never noticed before but your setup looks really strong, any dyno numbers on it yet?

 

Slow-My numbers are in the sig-404/502 on the motor. I haven't dynoed on the dry shot, going to convert to wet over the winter and put about 150 to it. I will dyno tune with the juice at that time.

Grey-Next time I have my gaskets off I want you to come over and demonstrate how to reinstall these suckers.

 

Maybe Screamer will follow the instructions and let us know. Took me about 2 minutes the last time.

 

Thanks for all the tips you guys. I'm glad I'm not the only one with such problems. I went by Pep Boys and a local Chevy dealer, and of course I have to special order the gaskets. I ordered two for 20 bucks, but will try some RTV sealant tonight while I wait for the new gaskets. I still don't understand why it leaks though, can you actually over or under tighten the cover bolts?

 

you can definatly over tighten them, i've never done it but i've heard about people doing it you will feel when you're close to over tightening them. i think they are tightened to something like 18 inch pounds of torque. same goes for to lose though, just get the bolts good and snug but not so tight that you're about to snap them off and you should be good.