DavidL Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi all, I finally got around to adjusting the valves on my 1990 Caterham with the 1700 Super Sprint XFlow. I installed a new valve cover gasket, but it started leaking near the carbs because it didn't seat quite right. My mistake may have been using hylomar as a sealant, which might have made it more easily slip. What d other do here.... install dry, or use a sealant? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks, David L., California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Dont know but my garage replaced my X-flow's cork valve gasket recently as it was leaking fumes. But the new cork one does the same thing. So maybe I need a better sealant also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Oh, you mean xflow valve covers aren't suppose to leak? I thought it was a design element to keep the block from rusting on the outside. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The leaking valve cover gasket insures you keep your oil topped up and changed on a regular basis plus that is how your car marks it's territory as all British cars are required to....:jester:.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Kinda embarrassing to be sitting at a traffic light, lookin so cool in my awesome car and then tendrils of smoke start wafting out of the engine bay. I agree tho, it seems to be part of the whole X-Flow experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidL Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 How did I know it was leaking? More smoke than usual out the hood louvres, and a few drips in the driveway. This is my first British car that does not normally leak! ---David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6334 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Just curious, do you have to use the paper gasket? Can't you just run a bead of silicon/rtv instead? Also most auto part stores sell gasket material and you cut it to fit your needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 My old MG had a cork valve cover gasket with the same problem. I found an after market rubber gasket for the cover and was able to use the same gasket over and over between valve adjustments. The other thing is to make sure the valve cover sealing surface to straight and is not bent from over tightening. Dave W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidL Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thanks for the link to the previous thread Dingo, the King mod sounds useful. I did look around the web for a neoprene gasket, but didn't find one for this engine (but did for MG, chevy, and airplane engines!). My first attempt will be to retry cork without sealant. Thanks, -David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 When we build Kent's for our Formula Fords, we use "finger blocks" under the four bolts that hold the rocker cover on, effectively giving 8 point loads instead of four, with smaller gaps between the pressure points. Standard parts available from places like BAT, Pegasus, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Ian - Think you're referring to these? https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=3544 They do carry a gasket for the cast covers. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=3543 Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Ian - Think you're referring to these? https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=3544 Steve exactly ! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Does your supersprint have the stamped metal or is it cast? I assumed it was cast as it is on my super sprint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidL Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Good point. My valve cover is cast, held down with 4 bolts. Its the same as in most pics I've seen of the 1700 SuperSprint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI HI Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 On my 1992 Caterham Super Sprint engine with an alloy valve I found that the hold down bolts were too long and bottomed out before compression of the cover gasket.Shortening the bolts and silicone keep it leak free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Just to be clear, the pieces I refer to in my post above only apply to the thin, stamped steel rocker covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidL Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Third time is a charm. I got it to seal on attempt #3 with the cork gasket, but no sealant and being very careful to not over tighten. I think the hylomar sealant was making the gasket slip out of place on attempts 1 and 2. Thanks to everyone for the help, -David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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