Valve cover spacers question

Paul P · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:35 pm Post subject: Valve cover spacers question

Hi All,
I have these 1/2" billet spacers that I bought to clear the valve springs on these Comp Oiler covers. They don't hit with the thick gaskets until they compress slightly as they normally do. The interference is very slight but I bought these to just fix the problem. Anyway. I have to seal them to the head and the cover. What I want to do is make sure that the seal to the head is more permanent than the cover so when I remove the covers the spacer stays put. Any suggestions as to what I should use? I was thinking JB weld or hard setting form-a-gasket for the spacer to head seal and then regular RTV for the valve cover.

Big Dave · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:27 pm Post subject:

I use studs to hold the spacers and valve cover gaskets in place that way they don't fall off when adjusting valves and I get a good seal top and bottom. You can make your own out of All-Thread rod.

Big Dave

Paul P · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:30 pm Post subject:

Studs is what I will use. What about sealers? RTV or other? That was my real question I want the spacer to be more of less permanently bonded so when I pull the covers to adjust the valves it stays put.

Big Dave · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:37 am Post subject:

I use RTV top and bottom.

But if you want it to stay put you could use shellac that glues VW or air plane motor cases together. Leak free and bonds like epoxy. I used to use Indian Head gasket shellac for my VW cases or a Continental four banger for an air boat. Don't know if it is still made any more.

Big Dave

Paul P · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:01 am Post subject:

Hi Dave,
Yeah the Indian Head stuff is more or less the Permatex 80017 Aviation Form-A-Gasket No. 3 Sealant.

The Permatex 80008 Form-A-Gasket #1 Sealant is fast drying hard setting which might be the ticket.

I was also considering some Anerobic sealer but don't know what is best for this application. I know they use it for transmission cases in foreign stuff.

Just want to keep that spacer stuck to the head and not have to mess with it.

Paul

Paul P · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:52 am Post subject:

Returned the spacers. Just really need to kiss the inside of the valve cover with a dremel tool to clear the springs. The other thing about it was that the spring oiler holes for the Comp Oiler covers would be so high that they would no longer be spraying the springs like the should.

Paul P · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:55 am Post subject:

Returned the spacers and got most of my $$ back. The guy was nice enough to take them back some 4 months later. Just hit me with a restocking fee which was fine.

What I really needed to to was just kiss the inside of the valve cover with a dremel tool where the springs left a mark to clear them. I ground out material 90 degrees from the spring marks so if they need a little more it will be obvious which ones need it. The other thing about it was that the spring oiler holes for the Comp Oiler covers would be so high that they would no longer be spraying the springs like the should.

af2 · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 4:39 pm Post subject:

Paul do you have a pic of the oilers?

Paul P · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:49 am Post subject:

They are on the car now and came from Comp back in the 90s. There are some pics in the post about the 408 engine build here.

http://www.smokemup.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=5206&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=120