With much thanks to the generosity of fellow Y-blockers here, today, finally, I was able to do a round-the-block run in my 64B 1957 Fairlane!!  Been since about 1991 when purchased and then promptly taken apart until today that I have not been behind the wheel and able to drive this thing.  Three kids and so many years later, its finally seen more than just the concrete of the garage and drive way under the tires.  Special, yes; a bit anticlimatic, yes; but with the kids and the Mrs inside, no hubcaps or hood, it was every bit worth it. 

Couple of questions at this point... running rubber valve cover gaskets; I keep having to tighten and tighten the two nuts on top to try to get the back lower corners to make a good seal and not leak... suppose this just goes with a rebuilt engine and will eventually stop... yes?  should I use something like RTV or other sealant material on these gaskets?  I hate to put anything on them that will have to be scraped off when its time to adjust the valves... suggestions appreciated.

thanks again to all those who share so freely on this forum!  When I found this forum about a year ago, I really got the restoration in high gear, so its really true that I couldn't have gotten to this point without you guys!

thanks Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

make sure the mount holes are not recessed as that will cause the ends to not seat  properly. Take the cover turn it over and get a extension and hit the hole with it using a hammer. That will raise it up some and maybe seat better. Other than that May you should try cork gaskets . Or put 2 gaskets together with sealer and make it thicker. That may work.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Mark, what a great satisfaction to complete this family project, congratulations from all of us!!

As birdman says, check the 2 holes are not squashed down in cover, knock them back out if necessary, check the gasket is sitting in cover correctly, once you take it off you will see problem area, i dont think application of sealer in this case will hurt and is easily removed. Could i suggest you check the little outlet tube on end of each rocker shaft is actually pointing down pushrod hole so majority of oil is returned to crankcase and not into valve cover. Enjoy your ride!! Best regards aussie bill. 

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I use the rubber impregnated cork ones. I always seal them to the valve cover so when you go to take them off, the gasket stays on the valve cover but not the head.. Haven't had a leak so far.

61 F100 292.







51 Ford Custom

Congrats, I can't wait for my maiden voyage, Finally have brakes so it is comming soon, I want to drive it before it gets painted

 I'm on a Lowwwww Budget

Use RTV, but get it from an auto parts store, and get the correct kind.

At the factory, we commonly use RTV with NO gasket (normally on cast parts like oil pans).  RTV comes off VERY easilly (with a razor blade), and may be re-applied whenever you like.  You don't need a thick layer.  Spread a coat on your dry gaskets, let it 'skin over' for ten minutes, THEN apply your valve cover.  Any imperfection will be sealed and the skin provides a cushion.  The remainder simply squishes out.  You shouldn't have to retighten your cover nuts.

Before covering your rocker shafts, make sure your rocker arms are flowing oil out of every one.  If they aren't, fix them before you go any farther.
Hope this helps.
- Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

I put RTV silicone on the cover side to hold the gaskets in place.Nothing on the gaskets on head side.They seal fine using cork gaskets and I can take covers off to adjust valves.The torque in the retainer nuts is only about 3 ft lbs.Just snug.Overtightening will not make the seal better.Just the opposite.Check the covers for straightness and knock the retainer indentations out.Use cork gaskets and don't overtighten.Congrats on getting it out on the road!

  

Pull a cover off and check straightness. If warped, hitting the inside of the bolt hole as previously suggested may fix it. Otherwise, get some other covers.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I'm sure you mean what you say, but GM burned up a lot of vehicles using this technique. In the 80's, GM started using the RTV technique to seal intake manifolds and the like. They also started painting their engines black so that the oil leaks wouldn't show up so bad. Then came the outbreak of engine fires.



I owned an 86 Suburban that burned to the ground while my brother was driving it through the desert. There's no doubt that the leaking valve covers were the cause. And, as we speak, GM is recalling its Grand Prix 3.8L engine for oil leaks that lead to fires.



Personally, the use of RTV as a gasket replacement is the sign of sloppy work. I realize how harsh that sounds, but I don't have much patience for self-defeating 'short cuts'.



Use a cork gasket on flat valve covers.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho