After Market Valve Covers

[bigdog56e]

  Appears AMC tried a lot of different ways to correct a problem.
                                                                   Eddie

[IowaEagle]

And the real problem was that the cover itself would warp and bow out.  Not so much a fastener issue as it was a materials issue.

[bigdog56e]

  Exactly, the plastic cover would warp like a 'nanner from heating and cooling.
                                                                                 Eddie

[Gil-SX4]

Now that is a smart solution.

[Jurjen]

I love it! I could just reach it by putting the socket straight on the elbow and than used the elongation, but this is a good way to do it too.

[bigdog56e]

  JJ,
        Your cover looks identical to mine, don't know why mine went on so easy, maybe motor mounts sagged a bit, huh? I didn't remove wiper motor. I used one of those 1/4" flexible drive thingies, looks like a twisted cable, and 1/4" drive ratchet to get to rear bolt.
                                                                                    Eddie

[IowaEagle]

Your's was a tight fit Bill.  Good job.  Now to clean up that engine compartment. 

[bigdog56e]

  JJ,
      Can't see why the bridges would bend, unusual for sure. When I changed my cover, I raised it enough to clear the studs and rolled it over on its side, toward carb, and pulled it forward, and put it back the same way, I did have the heater hose off that crosses the valve cover and the one from t'stat housing to intake manifold.
                                                                           Eddie

[MetalBird]

So for the gasket what all has everyone done (and it worked)?
Use the supplied thick gasket, get a thinnner gasket, or not use one at all and just go straight witht the tubed form-a-gasket?
I have gotten and read advice on going all three routes.

[bigdog56e]

  I used the gasket that came with cover (thick one) and used P'tex yellow.
                                                                                Eddie

[Jurjen]

I used the thick cork one that came with it, glued it on the cover (as per instructions) with some sealant and let it dry for a night.
Had to re tighten the bolts after 100 mls: the cork gasket had seated a little.

[jim]

joe-javilin, did you drill that hole, or did you find it already there?  I don't remember seeing one there on my Eagle.

[MetalBird]

What is the difference between the Yellow Ptex you used and the Red RTV recommended in the how-to writeup in the eaglepedia?
What should I be looking for when I go down to NAPA to get this stuff?

[bigdog56e]

  The yellow Permatex is a gasket adhesive. I put a thin layer on the head, and placed gasket on, let it set for awhile, put thin layer on the vave cover, and installed it. seems to be doing great.
                                                                                Eddie

[IowaEagle]

Used the gasket and the orange RTV.