Another thing that should be mentioned is that you should "GLUE" (I use Red RTV) the gasket into the valve cover. And always check the gasket itself to make sure it hasn't already shrunk on the shelf. Clean the valve cover and head surfaces well, then coat both sides of the gasket with the RTV. If you have a spare head, lay the gasket into the valve cover and then place the valve cover on the head with a light weight on the cover and allow it to set/dry for at least a couple of hours. I generally just leave it overnight. If you don't have a spare head, then place the valve cover in place, but do NOT snap the bale - snapping the bale before the sealer sets might cause the gasket to 'squish out', so just use 'something' to hold the cover in place with a bit of pressure till the RTV sets. After the gasket is dry in the cover, remove the cover and recheck to make sure the gasket is 'stuck' well and in the proper position. Then apply a light coat of oil on the gasket and the head surface, put it on the head and snap the bale. This is to keep the gasket from being 'sucked in' during a race. The valve cover doesn't have a ridge of any sort holding the gasket on the inside edge and the vacuum of the engine can suck the gasket in at the top or bottom (usually the bottom since it's the long side) and dump your oil OUT on the track- eventually starving your engine of the oil it so desperately needs to live - since it's behind you, you can't see it from the driver's seat. When your oil light comes on, it's already too late! The light coat of oil on the gasket will help to keep the gasket from becoming STUCK to the head when you remove the cover. If done correctly, you will probably NEVER have to repeat this process. The coat of RTV also helps to keep the gasket from shrinking. I have the same gaskets on my engines for YEARS with no leaks. However, be sure to check them EVERY TIME you remove the cover for any reason. EXTRA SPECIALLY if you have to remove the cover before an important session .. like the RACE! I try to NEVER remove a valve cover before a race session... unless I REALLY HAVE TO.
By the way.. nice race!
Another thing that should be mentioned is that you should "GLUE" (I use Red RTV) the gasket into the valve cover. And always check the gasket itself to make sure it hasn't already shrunk on the shelf. Clean the valve cover and head surfaces well, then coat both sides of the gasket with the RTV. If you have a spare head, lay the gasket into the valve cover and then place the valve cover on the head with a light weight on the cover and allow it to set/dry for at least a couple of hours. I generally just leave it overnight. If you don't have a spare head, then place the valve cover in place, but do NOT snap the bale - snapping the bale before the sealer sets might cause the gasket to 'squish out', so just use 'something' to hold the cover in place with a bit of pressure till the RTV sets. After the gasket is dry in the cover, remove the cover and recheck to make sure the gasket is 'stuck' well and in the proper position. Then apply a light coat of oil on the gasket and the head surface, put it on the head and snap the bale. This is to keep the gasket from being 'sucked in' during a race. The valve cover doesn't have a ridge of any sort holding the gasket on the inside edge and the vacuum of the engine can suck the gasket in at the top or bottom (usually the bottom since it's the long side) and dump your oil OUT on the track- eventually starving your engine of the oil it so desperately needs to live - since it's behind you, you can't see it from the driver's seat. When your oil light comes on, it's already too late! The light coat of oil on the gasket will help to keep the gasket from becoming STUCK to the head when you remove the cover. If done correctly, you will probably NEVER have to repeat this process. The coat of RTV also helps to keep the gasket from shrinking. I have the same gaskets on my engines for YEARS with no leaks. However, be sure to check them EVERY TIME you remove the cover for any reason. EXTRA SPECIALLY if you have to remove the cover before an important session .. like the RACE! I try to NEVER remove a valve cover before a race session... unless I REALLY HAVE TO.
Another great video! 👍