My Valve cover has a minor leak and the copper washers are not sealing as well as I'd like. When I did this a couple years ago I followed (I think it was) Grant Francis advice and didn't even use a gasket just RTV and it worked great, but it is giving out. So I'm going ot use a real gasket this time, but I don't want those washers to leak. I read something about using Stat-O-Seals once upon a time. I'd like to try that. They're pricey so I don't want to get into buying and returning. And the things come in weird sizings "AN" and so forth. The studs are 1/4" Fine thread.

Does anyone know the correct size for the Stat-O-Seals? Is it this one?



Also, any cheaper alternatives? at 7.49 a pair that's $82.00!

 

The items Earl's is trying to sell you are properly called bonded sealing washers. They can be had almost any where that caters to mechanical or hydraulic stuff. Here is a link to eBay, choose the style you like.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...eDesc=0&_pgn=1

Dave

 

The reason the copper washers are leaking is because they have work hardened.
You can anneal (soften) the copper washers by stringing them onto a piece of wire then heating them to red hot in a gas flame (eg barbeque) followed by immediate dunking in cold water.
Softening allows the washer to conform to the metal surfaces they are sealing.
Cheers

 

I had two of the front, but behind the cam tower "bump", washers on the driver's side leak even when using new washers.

Sealing washers can be had from McMaster Carr pretty inexpensively.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/st...ing-washers-4/

 

I'm sure somebody is selling a new type of washers with a neoprene seal moulded in. These are a new introduction, but I can't remember who the supplier is, sorry !

 

I had another look and came upon "Terrys Jaguar Parts" website with special stainless steel washers with an internal seal. However, Bitdefender tells me the site is too dangerous to enter !! So may phone or email, as it is a US company.
Washers are $0.95 each

 

I concur with Bill Mac's advice...always anneal copper gaskets and washers before use - it takes but a few minutes to make sure they've expanded to their correct thickness, making them much more compressible.