What do you all prefer as a valve cover gasket material? I currently have rubber on mine and it appears that I am getting some goldish colored staining on my Edelbrock intake manifold near the valve cover. It almost looks like it could some oil vapor staining or something like that. Just wondering if the rubber gasket is leaking just enough to stain the manifold. Would cork be a better material? I know I would like to change out my valve covers eventually to some beefier made ones. Mine are aftermarket and not the greatest of quality, and that could be part of the issue as well.
I don’t have a whole lot of time on mine, but I’ve got cork and it’s dry and tight.
I have always heard if you are going to be taking the valve covers off an on use rubber, if you are putting them on and leaving them alone use cork
I always try to go with cork whenever possible in any place I need a gasket.
I say use cork.
Steven
Like you said, I think your valve covers are the problem. Check them to verify the contact surface is still flat. Not bent down at each bolt hole from over tightening the nuts.
Can’t tell much from that picture, but it looks like there is some bend to it. If they are bent, hammer them back flat. Reassemble and stop tightening before the metal bends.
Agree - rubber with metal inserts to help keep the correct shape is the go if you have a valve train that requires regular adjustment.