I've had some problems getting the tappet cover on my kent engine to do its friggin job!
 
I replaced the cork gasket to find it was still pissing out oil. After a couple of weeks it stopped leaking funnily enough and all was ok...
 
until the other day when I adjusted my valve clearances and decided to use the blue RTV gasket maker/sealer either side of the cork gasket. I have to admit I was in a rush to get on the road (bog laps with a mate ) so the bead could've been uneven... but the pressure from the four bolts should've made things a bit more uniform.
 
Now it is pissing out oil more than ever. How do you guys go about sealing up tappet covers?? I've also got some of that sticky black gasket maker (aviation gasket glue) that never goes hard. Worked wonders with my thermostat housing, but I'm told its not so good with oil??
 
Thanks guys
 
 
PS: yes, promised build thread coming soon, been workin on a large assignment, so finding hard to justify more time spent in front of PC on the home front. But there will be lots of piccies once it is up 

Hey Nick,
 
Are you supposed to let the sealant set before starting the car?
 
Also did you ensure the surfaces were clean of all the old gasket and crap?
 
Cheers,
 
Matt

Hi matt, yeah i only let it set for 5 mins. Im prepared to do it all over again... its leaking profusely! What goo do you use when sealing components subjected to oil?

Cheers!

Hey Mate,
 
I used some black Permatex stuff.  When you apply the sealant don't clamp down the cover straight away, it just squeezes the sealant out. Put the cover on with a couple of bolts screwed in just enough to ensures it's aligned correctly, push it down enough to ensure there is a continuous bead of sealant all the way around and then wait for the sealer to cure for a couple of hours before tightening it down properly.
 
Also make sure you torque the bolts properly too as if done up too tight they may warp the to rocker cover and cause it to leak.
 
Sorry for the essay.
 
Matt

as said above, dont tighten them to tight, as for a good everything resistant sealer STAG joint paste is always handy to have a tube of in the garage. 

Thanks guys, will give it a crack tomorrow... This time I will give myself a bit more time to do the job!
 

 
If the cover is flat, particularly where the bolt holes are you shouldnt need to use any sealant at all. The sealant is often the problem as it allows the cork to slip when you tighten the bolts down. I will sometimes use a few very light 'dabs' of silicone to hold the gasket to the cover in areas that are not well supported but NEVER use anything on the engine side.
 
Ensure both surfaces are clean and dry, and that the cover is properly flat and you shouldnt need anything other than a gasket. Let the gasket do its job without plastering crap all over it!
 

Rtv sealants are designed to be used as a gasket replacement or on joins. Not with a gasket especially cork.

Thanks everyone for the wise words of advice and experience. I will give it a crack with a new cork gasket. The kent rocker cover seems like it could do with a few more bolts though. 6 would be a good measure!
 
Let you know how I go

Get a set of the rocker cover tabs from and speed shop, they spread the load of the screws and help avoid the cover bowing.  I always give the engine side of the gasket a coat of grease and use Permatex to stick the other side to the cover.  Dont do the screws up too tight and check their tension after your first big run