the guys that have agressive cams and take their valve cover off once or more a year

what do you do to keep it sealed?

ive been just tightening it dry on the head for last 2 years and its been somewhat ok but it never sealed around cam gears

do you use silicone and just rip it off every time and put new one?

 

you're supposed to put hondabond on the surfaces where the cam caps meet.

 

yea obviously thats not what im asking tho

 

I reuse my VC gasket about 3-4 times. after the 4th time it usually starts to leak.
I use silicone in the corners around the cam caps, and reapply new silicone each time I have it apart and back together.

 

u talking about grey silicone?

cuz its kinda sticks to rubber pretty good.
i guess its time to spend more money...

 

I change my gasket every time i have to take off the VC. The permetex sticks to it and stretches the gasket to where I cant re-use it anymore.

But then again, I also seal up around cam areas and havent had any leaks.

 

that could be expensive lol

 

so he repeats the same thing I did and suddenly it was the question you're asking?

 

because they red the question before answering.

you didnt.

 

I reuse the gaskets several times, with careful prep of the surfaces before installation. Just a dab of permatex ultra grey in the corners does not ruin the gasket and seals up just fine. After a few years I normally replace the gasket but they seem to hold up well for me.

 

I've normally found 1-3 times removal is the most you'll get out of a gasket before it'll create sealing problems.

I have a Blue hausing I use from Audi, its not anything like a RTV type gasket sealant, it doesn't leave any of that hard stuff when pulling it off, making it nasty to clean up.
This does harden but its a soft harden. I usually use it on vtec noids, cam seals and around the upper tops of the cam caps that the vc gasket goes around. I JUST resealed my top half last night, as I was doing some part changing and I use this stuff. Its around 56 bucks for a tube, but it'll last ya all year.

Honda bond is great for stuff that isn't coming off for awhile, I sealed my oil pump with that, also some dabs of it on the oil pan corners, but removing that **** from a used gasket is a pain in the ***.. I wouldn't use that on something that comes off often.

 

I agree. I change valve covers once every 2 years or so for change of variety and to check valve lash. I always use Hondabond on those surfaces by the cam gears , cam seals, etc. This is a simple practice that is to be performed. How is using the right chemicals in right places, with a replacement gasket expensive?

 

i meant when you replace it every time you pull the cover off it could get expensive if you do it alot

 

Probably relabeled hylomar. Good stuff, easy to clean up. Never used it on engines but I use it all the time on the giant air compressors I work on.

 

Sounds around what i'm talking about, I can post pics of the tube if you guys like.

Future reference, From autozone a new felpro gasket set for the entire valvecover is 25 bucks. Dunno how much you consider high dollar.. but that's pocket change to have oil from spilling everywhere.