Still leaking Oil Through the Valve Cover Seal

[Blast7]

So far I have taken apart and reassembled my rear valve cover about 5 or 6 times. Finally, I bought a brand new valve cover kit and used a new seal for the rear valve cover and it is still leaking oil. I just don't understand how it can't fit properly. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas because I'm stumped.

 

[luigisho]

Is it moving around when you try to reinstall it? Are you making sure the mating surface is claen of all residue? Is the helicoil holding torque? Clean off the old RTV in the corners and put in fresh? Allow time to cure properly?

 

[Blast7]

Everyone one of those has been done. I'm clueless.

 

[shojuan]

Did you torque evenly, following some kind of pattern? I think I did mine from the inside out. Can't remember if I stage torqued or not. No leaks here. Did you clean the gasket surfaces with acetone right before you assembled? Apart from the RTV the gasket surfaces need to be clean, oil free, and dry. In addition to the RTV in the corners of the cam bulges a thin layer of RTV needs to go over the entire front cam bulge (you'll see that the bulge surface is rough on the front one, hence the need for RTV there). Did you use a good RTV like permatex ultra grey?

Rick

 

[Kevin Airth]

I have fought this several times. I now try to use two people when putting on the rear valve cover. It's so hard to hold everything out of the way and install the cam cover. The huge wiring harness just won't stay back without help.
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[shojuan]

Kevin Airth:
I have fought this several times. I now try to use two people when putting on the rear valve cover. It's so hard to hold everything out of the way and install the cam cover. The huge wiring harness just won't stay back without help.
.
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I held mine back with a bunch of zip ties.

Rick

 

[93MTXSHO]

I have a suggestion. Is it possible that the valve cover is warped or bent? even slightly? I bring this to mind because the SHO only has bolts in the center and not around the perimeter. My dad has a 56 Ford Pickup that the galley pan was bent and leaking, so we straightened it out, but it still leaks. Sometimes there is nothing you can do but deal with it. A valve cover for a SHO is a lot easier to come by than a galley pan for a 312. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sho-N-Go]

Anybody thought it may not be the valve cover? It couold be the oil seal for the camshaft. Also there are only a few items that need to be checked and if the bolts are tight on the cover it shouldnt leak.

 

[bigjoe]

Had the same problem with my old Bronco. just couldn't get the valve cover to seat right. Finally took it to a mechanic, it was blowby, not a leak. one of the rings were cracked on that cylinder bank and it allowed too much pressure in the crankcase blowing oil past the gaskets. just a thought.

BIGJOE