Valve Cover Leaks

[texcwa]

Looking for a way to stop my oil leaks at valve covers on a freshly rebuilt motor. I have installed several times (with new gaskets ea time) using permatex Avaition (#3) on VERY clean surfaces. I even purchased new valve covers in case there was some warp in the old ones. I tighten them hand tight and turn an extra 1/2 turn as recommended, I have also tried tightening more but no luck. Anyone have any tricks up their sleeves?

Thanks

[KRB64]

OK, I'll bite.

What motor? I thought they all came with flatheads?

[texcwa]

Yes, it is the flat six, I meant the 2 side covers with 2 thumb bolts ea. that hold them on. VPW calls them valve covers in their parts catalog (that's where I got the new ones).

[Tom Petroff]

It's strange as you know there leaking from what you have done.

All I can say is make sure you drain holes are open in the block.
I know you said fresh rebuild but check anyway.

The other thing I have been through is a plugged PVC system allowing
Pressure to build, blowing oil out the gaskets and seals everywhere.
You never mentioned another leaking area though?

You using cork, or black fiber gaskets?
Regardless I would use tack adhesive on the covers and non hardening gasket sealer on block.
You do have the seals on the bolt heads?
TGP

[texcwa]

Cork on the gaskets and yes on the thumb bolts, they are not leaking. I do have the old breather cap and crankcase vent on, I will clean them better sence it was a good good call on the pressure. I do have a small leak at front of motor also (very small) but can not tell from where, above front frame member. Thanks for the help. (Not sure what you mean by drain holes?)

[Tom Petroff]

"(Not sure what you mean by drain holes?)"

Inside the lifter chambers in the block is holes to let oil run back to the pan.

"I do have the old breather cap and crankcase vent on"

Are you running the standard PVC system with the closed oil cap ?
Or is it a car engine with the road draft tube and vented oil cap?

This is what the PVC System should look like.
It's the valve coming out of the intake below the Carb with a steel line
Going back under the manifold to the rear of the block to the adapter in
Place of the draft tube.
TGP

[texcwa]

Not stock at all, duel carbs, crankcase vent (w filter elimiment removed (soaking in Kerosene)) just vents out w no tubes and not in vacuum, and closed type breather cap. Was going to attach pics but do not know how.

[texcwa]

Forgot to mention, yes open drain holes, can see cam through them.

[Tom Petroff]

Not stock at all, duel carbs, crankcase vent (w filter elimiment removed (soaking in Kerosene)) just vents out w no tubes and not in vacuum, and closed type breather cap. Was going to attach pics but do not know how.

You need a vented oil cap if you are useing
A draft tube. Air has to get in some how.
I'm sure you don't have a pipe from the oil
Fill tube to air cleaner?
If you do, then a closed cap is fine.
TGP

[texcwa]

You are correct, no line from oil fill tube. You may have solved my issue, lack of intake air into pan coupled with very dirty crankcase filter may be increasing pressure in system. At least I have something to work with. Thanks again.

[Tom Petroff]

Let us know how you make out
Also I asume your useing headers?
I'm not real knowledgeable on headers
So make sure there not to close to the
Covers, and cooking the gaskets.
TGP