22 replies to this topic

[Island Mini]

Put my new shiny minispares rocker cover on today and hoped i wouldn't need a gasket (I know silly boy) Well the one on the original rocker cover is falling apart so does anyone have a template for one so i can cut one tomorrow.... really dont want to ship one out here.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Why not use the rocker cover as your template?

[Ryang556]

Why not use the rocker cover as your template?

+1

[jaydee]

Buy a new cork gasket and fit it to the cover using some gasket sealant.

[Ryang556]

Buy a new cork gasket and fit it to the cover using some gasket sealant.

My local autostores sell's rocker cover gaskets that are a bit thicker than the original cork gaskets and seem to be of a lot higher quality than I normally see, when I fit them I never have any problems with needing sealant etc, Unipart stock the same ones

[dklawson]

You will never do without a gasket on a joint like that.

I propose a different solution. Do not make your own gasket and do not buy the cork gasket. Buy a silicone gasket. I have switched to silicone and am pleased with the results. To get the most from them you need to install them a bit differently than you are perhaps used to. The method below also works well for "normal" gaskets and "normal" valve covers.

Clean the top of the cylinder head and the bottom of the valve cover. Make sure there is no residual gasket material or sealant on either surface. Degrease the valve cover sealing surface with carb or brake cleaner on a clean paper towel.
Apply a thin film of light grease all the way around the top of the cylinder head where the gasket will seat.
Press the gasket into the thin layer of grease. Push down along its length making sure all of the gasket is in contact with the head. The grease will hold it in place.
Apply a thin bead of RTV to the bottom of the valve cover where the seal will seat, then lower the valve cover onto the head so the seal seats against the cover.
Tighten the valve cover fasteners a tight "finger-tight" and allow the assembly to sit at least half a day if not overnight.
After 12 hours or overnight, tighten the valve cover fasteners as you normally would.

The grease on the head will make sure the gasket is held securely and flatly against the sealing surface on the head.
The RTV will hold the gasket to the cover AND fill any voids between the top of the gasket and bottom of the valve cover.
In the end you will have a leak free seal and the valve cover can be removed from the head multiple times without loss of sealing.

[Island Mini]

Hmm well I wont be able to find a gasket on island, My mechanic recomended going for some liquid gasket type stuff. He put this on the thermostat housing and hasnt leaked since. What do you guys think?

[Nu2mini]

I'm interested in trying one of these silicone gaskets. Anyone know where to go in the UK to get oine

[dklawson]

Have you tried eBay? I found while in the U.S. there are several outlets selling silicone gaskets the best prices were on eBay.

Island Mini... where are you? When I see "Georgetown" I think Virginia. If you have no commercial gaskets available then by all means use whatever you have. Just make sure the gasket compound is non-hardening and easily removed later. If I HAD to make my own gasket for the rocker cover and I had a flat surface on each side to seal against, I would use cork gasket material so I had something "squishy" to bond to the valve cover.

[Island Mini]

Well as luck would have it I found myself a nice tube of silicone gasket maker so gave that a go and was done and all sealed up in 30 mins. Thanks for all the help guys!

[dklawson]

The issue with using RTV by itself between two clean metal surfaces is that you will find it "hell" to get them apart in the future.

If you only have RTV to use, I suggest in the future that you follow the prep steps I mentioned earlier including the thin film of grease on the head. Then put a HEAVY bead of RTV on the valve cover and allow it to rest on the cylinder head with NO tightening of the valve cover fasteners. IF you are LUCKY the grease on the cylinder head will work as a release agent so the RTV will stick to the valve cover but release from the head.

Good luck and I hope the RTV doesn't hinder your future maintenance such as adjusting valves.

[Island Mini]

Haha, you've scared me now... Let's hope I never have to take it off again. Followed the directions on the packet so fingers crossed!

[Ryang556]

The issue with using RTV by itself between two clean metal surfaces is that you will find it "hell" to get them apart in the future.

If you only have RTV to use, I suggest in the future that you follow the prep steps I mentioned earlier including the thin film of grease on the head. Then put a HEAVY bead of RTV on the valve cover and allow it to rest on the cylinder head with NO tightening of the valve cover fasteners. IF you are LUCKY the grease on the cylinder head will work as a release agent so the RTV will stick to the valve cover but release from the head.

Good luck and I hope the RTV doesn't hinder your future maintenance such as adjusting valves.

True that! The mini I had before the one I do now had it's thermostat housing on by that stuff, what a nightmare that was to get off!

[Island Mini]

Yep, just going to curl up in a corner and cry now....

[Ethel]

It shouldn't be as bad, the studs locate the thermostat housing much tighter than the tube nuts on a rocker cover. You ought to be able to pry up a corner & break the join more easily. I'd watch for getting enough clearance under the cover though, the cork gasket you've replaced is quite thick.