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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: bigJ on April 13, 2008, 10:35:13 am

Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: bigJ on April 13, 2008, 10:35:13 am: I purchased an aftermarket head two years ago from a vendor who had found a batch in a wharehouse in Germany. I finally got around to installing it after doing some port and polishing. Once installed I could not get the valve cover to stop leaking. It turns out that the valve cover gasket sealing surface is too wide allowing the cover to sit on top.
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=45461199/PictureID=4783954770/a=55513749_55513749/t_=555137499675/a=55513749_55513749/t_=55513749[/url]
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: burn_your_money on April 13, 2008, 03:23:13 pm: try switching to a cork gasket
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: subsonic on April 13, 2008, 06:55:31 pm: Was this from a vendor in CA, who also sells on ebay? Who is the maker of the head?
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: bigJ on April 13, 2008, 10:11:29 pm: Yes this was from california and also sells on e-bay. I could not find a single stamping or casting on who made this head. I do not blame the vendor as the fault was at the manufacturing level.
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: mufflerbearing on April 14, 2008, 01:03:44 am: i dont see how a cork gasket will help as it sounds like the edge of the valve cover is hitting the head.

i would try machining down the edge of the head or switching out to a valve cover that does not have a lip coming down over the edge of the head. g60 valve cover for example.

-j
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: myke_w on April 14, 2008, 02:32:39 am: could you snap a pic of the head and post it?
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: subsonic on April 14, 2008, 05:49:19 am: Quote from: "bigJ"
Yes this was from california and also sells on e-bay. I could not find a single stamping or casting on who made this head. I do not blame the vendor as the fault was at the manufacturing level.

Was it ecstyln or something close to that?
Title: leaking valve cover
Post by: bigJ on April 14, 2008, 09:14:35 pm: I was able to use a Dermel and a hacksaw blade to remove the excess material while still on the vehicle and presto no more leaks. Before discovering the problem I was ready to retrofit a 1.6 valve cover which would require drilling and tapping for studs. Thank God it didn't come down to that!