The Ford Barn

rich40701 · 08-06-2022, 03:15 PM

Does anyone produce silicone valve covers for the Model A? I also have a 1951 MG TD and there is a gentleman who produces some awesome tappet and valve covers that are leak proof and last forever.

john in illinois · 08-06-2022, 04:03 PM

Have you had trouble with your A valve cover leaking? I do not think silicone is available.

John

nkaminar · 08-06-2022, 05:19 PM

If you want to cut your own, you can buy sheets of silicone of different thicknesses and durometers at McMaster-Carr. Some of the sheets they sell are more tear resistant than others.

old ugly · 08-06-2022, 10:05 PM

why are you having an issue with the side valve cover leaking?
It is a gasket that usually seals pretty good. the drain tube gaskets i have had some leaky ones. the drain back tube has copper washers on the bolts that need to be there or those could leak.

katy · 08-06-2022, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich40701

Does anyone produce silicone valve covers for the Model A?

Comes in a squeze tube, pick the colour of your choice.

nkaminar · 08-07-2022, 06:38 AM

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If you do decide to use the one in a tube, as Katy suggested, tighten the bolts just enough to get a uniform contact and then let the silicone cure. Then tighten the bolts but not too much to squeeze out the silicone. Lots of people have good luck with "The Right Stuff."

Y-Blockhead · 08-08-2022, 01:29 PM

I would use silicone sparingly. I have seen one too many engines ruined by using too much silicon gasket maker and plugging oil orifices when it comes loose. I have had good luck with The Right Stuff in other applications but I would never use silicone in a engine.

Ray in La Mesa · 08-08-2022, 05:24 PM

I don't use the regular silicone sealer, instead I use Ultra Black & no gasket.

nkaminar · 08-09-2022, 07:01 AM

If you use silicone gasket cement, designed for automotive use, and a gasket, use just a small amount, just enough to wet the surface of the gaskets. Use your finger to smear a small amount on the gaskets, just a light film.

If there is a small amount of oil film on the parts the silicone will not stick and will make removing the parts later on easier.

Back in the day, grease was used as a gasket cement for race cars as they were taken apart after each race. It made it easier to remove the parts.

jetmek · 08-09-2022, 05:44 PM

As far as using silicone…

08-06-2022, 03:15 PM	#1
rich40701 Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 78	Silicone gaskets Does anyone produce silicone valve covers for the Model A? I also have a 1951 MG TD and there is a gentleman who produces some awesome tappet and valve covers that are leak proof and last forever.

08-06-2022, 04:03 PM	#2
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: Silicone gaskets Have you had trouble with your A valve cover leaking? I do not think silicone is available. John __________________ Welcome each day

08-06-2022, 05:19 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Silicone gaskets If you want to cut your own, you can buy sheets of silicone of different thicknesses and durometers at McMaster-Carr. Some of the sheets they sell are more tear resistant than others. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-06-2022, 10:05 PM	#4
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Silicone gaskets why are you having an issue with the side valve cover leaking? It is a gasket that usually seals pretty good. the drain tube gaskets i have had some leaky ones. the drain back tube has copper washers on the bolts that need to be there or those could leak. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

08-07-2022, 06:38 AM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Silicone gaskets Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you do decide to use the one in a tube, as Katy suggested, tighten the bolts just enough to get a uniform contact and then let the silicone cure. Then tighten the bolts but not too much to squeeze out the silicone. Lots of people have good luck with "The Right Stuff." __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-08-2022, 01:29 PM	#7
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,848	Re: Silicone gaskets I would use silicone sparingly. I have seen one too many engines ruined by using too much silicon gasket maker and plugging oil orifices when it comes loose. I have had good luck with The Right Stuff in other applications but I would never use silicone in a engine. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 08-09-2022 at 09:07 AM.

08-08-2022, 05:24 PM	#8
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Silicone gaskets I don't use the regular silicone sealer, instead I use Ultra Black & no gasket.

08-09-2022, 07:01 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Silicone gaskets If you use silicone gasket cement, designed for automotive use, and a gasket, use just a small amount, just enough to wet the surface of the gaskets. Use your finger to smear a small amount on the gaskets, just a light film. If there is a small amount of oil film on the parts the silicone will not stick and will make removing the parts later on easier. Back in the day, grease was used as a gasket cement for race cars as they were taken apart after each race. It made it easier to remove the parts. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.