Valve Cover Sealant

So I was trying to put my valve cover back on today and decided to "do it the right way." I went and bought some of this Ultra Blue Gasket Maker from
Permatex that http://www.vr4stealth.com/valve_cover_rejuvenation.htm recommends and when I went to put it on the gasket, I somehow cracked a hole in the tube and that crap goes everywhere. Anyways, I finish applying the blue stuff the way the site recommends and when I go to put the VC on the car, the gaskets kept falling out and causing a HUGE mess--blue stuff everywhere. Now I'm back to square 1 with crap everywhere that I need to clean up before I can put the VC back on again.

Questions:

1-do I REALLY need the sealant? I've put the VC on before without any sealant but it was for a short duration so I don't know what the long term effects would be if I didn't have any on there!?!

2-how the hell do I get the crap off my gaskets and VC? Wait until it dries and hope that it'll peal off? :banghead:

Any help would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

In the past, I have taken some sewing thread and tied gaskets on at the bolt holes until I get them in place. Then you can either leave them in place or snip the thread and pull it out useing needle nose pliers before you instal/tighten the bolts. If they are flat fiber/paper gaskets, then you can get a high tack sealant that allows for some movement but grips really good.

As for the mess you are currently in, you will probably have to buy a new gasket and scrape the cover.

:(

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/sLADe781/DSCN5341.jpg

In the past, I have taken some sewing thread and tied gaskets on at the bolt holes until I get them in place. Then you can either leave them in place or snip the thread and pull it out useing needle nose pliers before you instal/tighten the bolts. If they are flat fiber/paper gaskets, then you can get a high tack sealant that allows for some movement but grips really good.

As for the mess you are currently in, you will probably have to buy a new gasket and scrape the cover.

Smart idea...

But umm, if I'm able to remove the sealant stuff off the gaskets, you think it'll still be good? 'Cause they're brand new - never even used before (which is probably why they didn't "fit" perfectly because they haven't been fully stretched in yet)!?!

Sealant isnt needed.

As long as you don't tear the silicone gasket you will be OK. Both the sealant and the gasket are silicon compounds and therefore if you try to use any chemical to dissolve the sealant you may damage the gasket.

It is true that you don't need sealant with this type of gasket unless you a crossing a joint between castings. Some High Tack in a few spots could help.

Okay, so I was reading around a bit and there's gasket remover products...would one of these do? http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_removers.htm

The problem is that the gasket maker I used says that it's silicone so I'm thinking those won't work and I can't find the Silicone Stripper at Autozone or Kragen. Any ideas guys?

Oh, and I'm not applying the chemical to the gaskets. Just the VC cause soap, water, and some scrubbing is removing most of the blue stuff on the gaskets. So I just need something to help with the removing of the blue stuff on the VC.

Thanks for the replies.

Acetone, lighter fluid or lacquer thinner may help break the bonds. Very flammable though.

Acetone, lighter fluid or lacquer thinner may help break the bonds. Very flammable though.

If I am not mistaken brake fluid will also

Just remember that this will have to soak a short while. Nothing is instant. Also work as far away from the car as possible as the paint will not survive any contact with any of these chemicals.

You don't need sealant but I just use some of the black silicone RTV from Permatex. All you need is a very think coating on the valve cover gasket and I mean very thin. Just enough to hold the gasket in place while you put it on.

However, like Stealthee said, you don't need it.

You don't need sealant but I just use some of the black silicone RTV from Permatex. All you need is a very think coating on the valve cover gasket and I mean very thin. Just enough to hold the gasket in place while you put it on.

However, like Stealthee said, you don't need it.

Yeah I was originally not going to use any but when I ran across the site, I was like "eh, why not!?!" ... THIS IS WHY NOT! LMAO

So yeah, I won't be using it anymore but I just need to figure out a way to remove everything.

you don't need extra sealant. I think Hans just puts a dab on the creases to make sure it's a snug fit, and no oil sneaks out.

Yeah I was originally not going to use any but when I ran across the site, I was like "eh, why not!?!" ... THIS IS WHY NOT! LMAO

So yeah, I won't be using it anymore but I just need to figure out a way to remove everything.

Well, I've always just used solvent and some elbow grease. I also found this:

http://www.rmoreau.com/su100.htm

I ended up carefully scraping the sealant off with a small flat head. Almost everything came off so I think it should be okay now.

Here are a couple teaser pics:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/sLADe781/DSCN5337.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/sLADe781/DSCN5338.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/sLADe781/DSCN5339.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/sLADe781/DSCN5340.jpg

What do you guys think? :biggrin:

You shaved off the lettering. Very nice.

after looking at your pictures, mine most definitely needs to be repolished. Wow!