ALUMINUM VALVE COVER LEAKS

[383bee]

My 383 has mopar perf cast aluminum valve covers.the pass side rear has been leaking down the back side of the motor.i have tried every trick i have heard - diff type gaskets and different sealers,not over tightening and i finally cracked one of the corners on the cover.i am looking at some different covers.i have heard that the alum ones are sometimes hard to get sealed.would i be better off with some steel covers?thanks for any input.david

[4264door]

I have always liked and used the regular production steel valve covers, but chromed. Never had any leak issues using those.

[Mopars & Missiles]

Have you inspected the sealing surface of the head in the area of the leak? You may have some sort of defect there that is causing the leak.

Also, use a straightedge to verify the sealing surface of the head is flat.


It's also possible that the aluminum cover has some porosity in that area and is seeping oil. A close inspection of the cover in that area might reveal the problem also.

[383bee]

Thanks for the suggestions.i don't see anything on the head.i will take a straight edge to it.as far as I could tell the aluminum cover looked fine.i may have just over tightened it early on in trying to stop the leak.i am going to try some steel covers and see if i have any luck.

[Coronet 14]

Mancini Racing has thicker valve cover gaskets.

[Hibbing_Coronet_500]

I have the same problem! I reduced the leaking by installing 1/4 by 1 1/2 set screws into the head. I used the fel pro thicker gasket.
I glued the gasket to the cover. Once dried. I lowered the cover onto the head and set screws.
It's a pain in the butt to get the 1/4 nuts on all 6 studs. Then I evenly tightened the cover.
I also noticed when my oil losses it's viscosity due to fuel blowby and flooding my covers leak really bad! A oil change and all is better.

[Hibbing_Coronet_500]

1880A photo explains alot.

[383bee]

i was thinking about changing to studs instead of the hex head screws it has now.at this point i am ready to try anything.i am going to give some edelbrock steel covers a shot with a cometic gasket and see what happens.thanks again for suggestions

[383bee]

interesting that i changed my oil a few days ago and i have noticed less oil leaking from cover.

[thebankerstoy]

Have you inspected the sealing surface of the head in the area of the leak? You may have some sort of defect there that is causing the leak.

Also, use a straightedge to verify the sealing surface of the head is flat.


It's also possible that the aluminum cover has some porosity in that area and is seeping oil. A close inspection of the cover in that area might reveal the problem also.

Mopars & Missiles,

I totally agree with everything you've said! The original cast iron cylinder heads that many of us are using are now over 40 years old and after seeing so many heat cycles, warped mating surfaces can easily happen and most folks don't have their machine shops check their cylinder head to valve cover mating surfaces for flatness, which can be a very annoying mistake throughout the life span of their engines due to difficult to fix leaks. .

383bee,

Here's an interesting read from the Dodge Charger web site that speaks about the identical issue that you're having with the passenger side rear corner of the Mopar Performance cast aluminum valve cover leaking and possible causes and cures.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index....ic=69822.0

I've never been a big fan of the cast aluminum valve covers produced by anybody, because they don't have any of the flexibility that the stamped steel valve coves offer. I've been using the original style Direct Connection chromed stamped steel valve coves on all of my big and small block powered Mopars for years and have had very few issues with them. The originals are getting harder to find, but Mopar Performance is now reproducing a modern version of these valve covers using all new tooling under part #P4349633AB and they can be purchased at a very reasonable price as seen in the information and web link below, so those covers along with a good set of valve cover gaskets would be my suggestion to solving your valve cover leaking issues.




Description

New "Direct Connection" Chrome Valve Covers For Big Block Mopar Engines. These Covers are just like the originals from the 1970's and are chrome plated with baffles and grommets.The "Direct Connection" valve covers will add that perfect retro touch for any 361,383,400,413,426w or 440!

Full Description

Stamped from brand new tooling to ensure superior valve cover sealing around the cylinder head.

High luster chrme finish with vintage "Direct Connection" logo.

Package includes two chrome valve covers with built in baffles and rubber grommets.

Online Price: $59.91

Web site link: http://www.moparsupercenter.com/mopar-pe...633ab.html

Richard