Fel-Pro VS13264T Valve Cover Gasket Set

If your looking for a leak free gasket for your small block Ford look no further. I have a SBF with AFR aluminum heads and Ford Racing Aluminum valve covers. When I went to these heads (from E7TE iron heads) I went to these valve covers and some Earl's valve cover gaskets. The Earl's gaskets were very similar in construction but not the same. They had a steel core with a rubber seal on each side. Like these FP gaskets they had a thicker shim at each bolt hole to allow you to torque the cover bolts without over compressing the gasket. The problem with the Earl's gaskets is that they leaked shortly after installation. I tried for a long time to figure out why they were leaking and was ready to go to a different cover when I found the problem. On one of the gaskets the rubber seal had delaminated from the steel core. I would have thought the pressure from bolting the cover down would have sealed the rubber to the steel core but it did not. When I received the FelPro gasket and inspected it I found it obvious that this gasket is more robust than the Earl's gasket I was replacing. The Earl's had a thin rubber seal on each side where the FP was much wider. The width of the rubber seal is about the same as the steel core. This gives the sealing rubber not only more strength but also more surface area to bond to the core and surface to seal to the head. Had the Earl's gasket not delaminated I'm certain it would have worked just fine (only one head leaked, the other had no problems.) The fact is though, the FP gasket is made better and cost less. A win win no matter how you look at it. A big advantage to these type of gaskets is that no sealant is needed and it is recommended not to use any. That makes installation easier and also dissasembly if required (I have solid lifters so I must pull the covers to adjust the valves.) Just make sure your surfaces are flat and clean and put them on. One very important thing to note, there is a "head" side and a "cover" side to the FP gasket. You won't notice it if you're not looking for it. Most SBF VC gaskets can be installed either way so be sure to pay attention when using these.

Basically the nicest quality valve cover gaskets you can buy

perfectas

Quality product delivered promptly

These are awesome gaskets. Purchased these along with an oil pan gasket of the same style. Fit great, no issues at all. More expensive than sone but well worth it.