Looking for some Tips and Suggestions on successfully replacing Cover Gaskets. Never seem to do it well. I have to replace mine after I get the Oil to Rockers restricted. Cast Aluminum T-Bird Covers. I clean off old Gasket with Putty Knife and clean residue with Wire Brush on Drill. Attach new Gaskets with Black RTV and Cloths Pins until RTV Sets. What else do you Guys do? Using Wing Nuts to retain Covers .How tight should I be compressing Gaskets? What else can I do so they don't Leak?  Thanks for input. I would really like to get this Engine Drip Free. 

  

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I have the "correct" Studs but like You I find they are still shorter than they should be. Have to back the One at back out several Turns and then re-lock the retaining Nut on top of Stand.

  

I use RTV (red)  to attach the gasket to the cover.  A thin cat,put gasket on  and turn over and let the RTV set.  Never had a problem.  Use the aluminium covers

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Hi Paul. I just cleaned mine up to replace Gaskets. Black RTV and let it setup till tacky. Installed Gaskets and then turned over on an  piece of old Countertop flat and then Set Toolbox on top to hold Covers down until Tomorrow. Got My Machinist to install restrictors to cut down excess Oil Flow to Heads. Should fix my Problem. How tight do You do up the Hold down Nuts on Yours? I got Wingnuts on My Covers. 

  

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Studs don't get torqued with the same spec. you might get away with in on lower torque values but it could be problematic. ARP recommends a bit past hand tight. some thread locker isn't a bad idea for the stud into head. Unless its a race application or something weird i wouldn't put thread locker on the nut as that will more than likely pull the stud then your fighting to loosen the nut from a removed stud. set the valve cover bolts and check them after driving and then at increasing intervals until you see its not loosening as gasket settles in.
Seth

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You installed the gasket using pretty much the same  way I do it. I use the acorn nuts for the hold down.  Basically, I just tighten by hand (no torque wrench) until I feel enough pressure on the wrench.   No leaks.  I suggest you follow the torque recommendation from Ford, but that is pretty hard to do with wing nuts..

I do torque the nuts that hold the studs to the head.  I don't know if Ford used lock washersunder those nuts, ,but I do.





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks Paul. I am going to try and be a little more inline with Your suggestions about tightening retainers mine being Wing Nuts. The Parts Catalog says Flat Washers and Lock Washer on each Location on rocker Shaft Supports. I realize that the Gaskets are thicker Today but I wish One of the Parts Sellers would start providing longer Studs to use with the Aluminum T-Bird Covers.