Just got the car running right again and after driving it for a bit i look under the hood and theres oil all over the passenger side of the engine, on the AC dryer etc. I just replaced the valve covers and gaskets, both the valve covers look dry, theres even more oil drenched under the car on the passenger side. I think the cluprit may be a bad timing chain cover gasket, i've wached it seep out from there before but never this bad, can valve covers still leak even if they look like they arent??? :banghead:

My best guess is that you have a section of valve cover gasket at the rear that's distorted/damaged or perhaps a wire got in the way and is 'sandwiched' between the cover and cylinder head. I've seen this before and it makes a mess.

I was thinking that could have happened too, im gonna take a closer look at them and possibly have to re-sit the gaskets in there

Also, don't over tighten the valve cover bolts or you could squash the gaskets and bend the lip on the covers. Especially if they are cork gaskets.

Good luck

yeah i used cork gaskets

Also, don't over tighten the valve cover bolts or you could squash the gaskets and bend the lip on the covers. Especially if they are cork gaskets.

Good luck


this is the bad thing about cork....valve cover must be perfect where the mounting hardware goes thru....if its been over torqued and is bent it will continue to leak...

Im thinking of just using regular gaskets, which is the best kind to use?? the old valve covers' cork gaskets were baked onto the valve cover itself, that was another reason for replacement

Im thinking of just using regular gaskets, which is the best kind to use?? the old valve covers' cork gaskets were baked onto the valve cover itself, that was another reason for replacement

I quit using gaskets years ago. Valve cover gaskets are so .. 20th century ... LOL

I use Permatex "The Right Stuff". No leak in the 8 years since I used it.

Diddnt really know you could do that, did you have to slop it all on there or just use a thin layer?

Diddnt really know you could do that, did you have to slop it all on there or just use a thin layer?

Just a 1/8" bead along the center of the gasket surface. It expands as it sits.

Just a 1/8" bead along the center of the gasket surface. It expands as it sits.

if the metal is cleaned with mineral spirits and you allow the silicone to set for 15 mins it is very effective...

this is method used to seal gear boxes where I worked and over many years the devices would rarely leak..

Found a little threaded hole at the front of the engine next to the fuel pump that sprayed out oil when i would give the engine heavy throttle, i think this may have been where it was comming from, i put a bolt in and drove around, i think i may have fixed it. http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo275/pctvguy/000_0328.jpg

EDIT: heres a tech article on this problem http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/MysteriousSmallBlockChevyOilLeak.htm
everyone should check and make sure that hole is plugged on your car too

Oh yes, that bolt MUST be in place! If you took it out, now you know what happens.