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MG TD TF 1500 - Sealing Valve Cover Gasket

I am going to help a friend with his valve cover gasket on his TC and wondered what folks are using when they seal the gasket to the valve cover or head. Also, with the cork gasket (what he has) being rather porous, is anyone sealing it with a clear spray of some sort - I thought I might try sealing it with clear enamel or something along those lines.

The gasket on my TF seems somewhat porous as well. I will most likely get another and try to seal it up.

Just wondering what goop everyone is using. I have always liked sealing the gasket to the valve cover so that you have no issues when removing for valve adjustments and so forth.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
Jeff Delk

Jeff, I've found it best to do it the other way, i.e., attach the gasket to the head. Clean the head surface well and apply a coat of Permatex to the gasket. Be careful to properly seat the gasket. Put the valve cover back on and tighten it down. The Permatex will seal the gasket to the head and will create a 'well' that will keep the oil from leaking around it. There should be a clear indentation showing in the gasket from the bottom of the valve cover. I've never had a gasket porous enough to ooze oil. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Thanks Bud - I think you are right - I was thinking about typical covers that have the nice lips on them - since the T cover is different - I think your advice is spot on.

I just read in the archives that some use finger nail polish as a sealer on the gasket - to solve the porous property of the gaskets now supplied.

Thanks - which Permatex product is best to use when sealing to the head?

Jeff
Jeff Delk

Hi Jeff,

The majority of Rocker Cover leaks are a result of the sealing flange of the Cover not being perfectly flat.You really need to check
the 'truth' of this aspect of the Cover before
re attaching to the Head.Glass sheet is an excellent datum point!

There is a wealth of information in the Archives on this issue.

Cheers for now.
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

A very light coat of oil on the top (non permatex side) will keep it from sticking and allow you to take it off without damaging the gasket.
Bruce Cunha (1950 TD 4139)

Permatex is nice, and I used the #2 against the head, which is the black, gooey non-hardening variety. Permatex bought the rights to Hylomar which is the product Rolls Royce invented to seal flanges on their gas turbine engines. You have to ask someone to order it from the Permatex catalog. I love the stuff, with or without a gasket. Tolerates Gas, oil, etc. and covers a wide range of temperature. I use it now in lieu of #2.

I did the nail polish trick... still going strong with nary a leak. Wish I could say the same for my front seal!

warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

I agree with Dave that Hylomar is about the best out there. Problem is and it's hard to believe, there are still some parts stores around here that haven't heard of it yet! Of course, were a little slow down here in the swamps of SC, we still use mules to plow and cultivate with. (Grin). PJ
P.S. Jennings

I have to say, I could not keep my cork gaskets from wicking and seeping. But the silicon roadster gaskets fixed that right up. Amazing product and worth the bucks. I followed their instructions and put a gasket compound on the bottom side only then assembled but very lightly so as not to push too much of the compound out (it was a thin coat anyhow). next day tightened it down and absolutely no leak, weep, seep, anything since. Very very nice.
l rutt

I have been using a silicon rubber Roadster Gasket for quite a few years,,, It's great ! The valve cover has been off and on many times with out any leaks!

SPW

Steve Wincze

I agree with Steve, the Roadster silicon gasket is excellent. I also installed their gasket under the tappet cover and it eliminated the (minimal) oil leakage I was getting with the cork seal.
Phil Atrill

Further to previous answers, I've been there and got the Tee-shirt on this one. My original cover was leaking when I first got the car, so I got a silicon rubber gasket and sealed it to the block but it still leaked. I then looked carefully at the base of the cover itself and noticed it wasn't true. I took a large file, sufficient to span the width of the cover, and spent 20 mins gently filing down the high spots - there were 2 or 3 of them - and then smoothed it off with emery paper so I had a glass-smooth surface (probably unneccessary but it gave me some satisfaction doing it). The immediate result was no leaks at all.

To confirm matters, I've put the chrome cover the car came with into store, in favour of a painted one, also original vintage (which I've painted a good approximation of the orginal colour) and that too leaked until I again filed it level. I suppose the various dings and dents as they covers were bashed and dropped during their lifetimes are pretty numerous and we shouldn't be suprised if they cut up rough now.

Incidentally, I think I have now acquired a bit of an affiction: "Originalitis", which I can't seem to get rid of. It's meant that I've felt driven to replace all the non-standard parts of my 1953 TD (pancake filters, chrome valve cover, chrome rockerbox cover, a plain dull brown horn-buttoned steering wheel centre etc) with original spec. parts (vintage if I could get them). Is there any known cure? It's proving a bit costly but for some reason the car just didn't LOOK right as it was. I might get shot down for it but the chrome in the engine compartment, particularly, was starting to get on my nerves. Maybe I should seek specialist advice, although I fear there is probably no known cure.

Beautiful weather here ATM, brilliantly sunny but a wonderful cool breeze. Pity is I'm away for the next week for work. Still, we can't have it all - it'll at least help pay for some more of those parts.

Regards,

- Tom.
Tom Bennett - 53TD 24232

Tom...the only known cure is to drop a Buick Rover V8 in it....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Tom B,

Congratulations on doing what really has to be done ! With regard to originality,you are spot on as well,just stand back and enjoy the easy on the eye 'flow'with what the Factory
surmised.

Cheer,

Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

This thread was discussed between 17/06/2010 and 18/06/2010

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