Rocker gaskets from Viton

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I've some reinforced sillycone on my rocker covers and couldn't be more pleased with them. They seal perfectly, have been reused multiple times, appear to be here for the long term.
 
Been using JS Motorsports gaskets on my Mk3 and found the fiberglass reinforced silicone gaskets to be the best for me.
I maintain other Mk3 with owner specified paper gaskets, so i get to compare performance.

Rocker gaskets from Viton
 
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peter12 said:
The idea of ones that are reinforced sound good. I have used silicon ones before and they squeeze out. Didn’t like them at all.
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I agree. Had the same experience. Stopped using the silicon gaskets. Sure don’t over tighten them, but risk the valve cover falling off.
 
I've got the original acorn type nuts and with them snugged securely have yet to have them loosen any at at.... Perhaps I'm just lucky on this.... and besides I sure like how the original natty nuts look sitting on the covers.
 
I’ve had the regular silicone gaskets forever. Just don’t tighten them down too much.
 
If they "squish" and "squeeze out", probably means they are too thick
 
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but over tightening, especially the exhaust covers, can permanently distort them and make them leak with standard gaskets. I've fixed two bike's exhaust rocker cover leaks this year by flattening the covers and then using standard gaskets with nothing on them. Just a little time with sandpaper on plate glass and the covers are flat once again. It's also possible for the mating surfaces on the head to not be flat and I check/correct that when I have a head off.
 
I adjusted my valves yesterday. I used the JS motorsport valve cover gaskets for the first time, after using black silicone on the paper gaskets for many years, because I didn't want any leaks. I'm happy to report no leaks with Jim's gaskets... Thanks Jim!

Now I can do a valve adjustment then close things up and ride it, rather than wait for the black to set up over night...
 
sorry, not following the logic here. factory type valve cover gaskets from old britts are (2X) 70 and 80 cents each. a light coating of brake caliper grease and torque to spec, and mine are leak free.
 
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joe czech said:
sorry, not following the logic here. factory type valve cover gaskets from old britts are (2X) 70 and 80 cents each. a light coating of brake caliper grease and torque to spec, and mine are leak free.
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If the mating surfaces aren’t flat enough they will leak. Silicone gaskets can compensate for that.
 
jbruney said:
There is no logic.... We're all just rooting for our favorite rocker gasket.... I think.
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swooshdave said:
If the mating surfaces aren’t flat enough they will leak. Silicone gaskets can compensate for that.
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sorry, not trying to flame anyone, just my 2-cents. if folks prefer something different, that works for me. a little flattening prior to installation (as greg marsh said) , a little grease, and OE type should work fine. probably the biggest issue with leaking gaskets is over torqueing hardware.
 
joe czech said:
sorry, not trying to flame anyone, just my 2-cents. if folks prefer something different, that works for me. a little flattening prior to installation (as greg marsh said) , a little grease, and OE type should work fine. probably the biggest issue with leaking gaskets is over torqueing hardware.
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Flattening the covers takes sone effort. Flattening the head surfaces is a bigger challenge.
 
I dressed my covers, but usually replace gaskets after running the clearances so went with the sillycone on a lark to see how they worked out for multiple uses. Good so far, and it has also given an opportunity to teach me to not overtighten fasteners.
 
My rocker covers are chromed. They're "flat" within reason but paper gaskets will leak unless I use RTV on them, which I did for 40 years. On disassembly they would always tear, especially the intake. I switched to the black silicon type a few years ago, and every time I checked them the nuts were only finger tight. Eventually they squished and split. Now I'm using Jim's reinforced version which can be snugged properly.
 
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