FelPro Valve Cover Gaskets (VS 50156 T)

[Morbid]

Hello there.

I've got a leaky valve cover on the drivers side and after reading some posts here, picked up some a set of FelPro's VS 50156 T.

These are supposed to be put on dry (no RTV or sealers), so the instructions say.

Has anyone used these and if so how did the dry approach work?

TIA

Morbid

 

[49-blues]

I used them and they worked fine. i need another set for my other car.

 

[Morbid]

Thanks for the input, I'll pop 'em in tommorrow.

Am driving home for the weekend, Staten Island, and that's 400 miles down the NYS Thurway one way.

Don't need any suprises or worse yet, problems.


Morbid

 

[Puddlian]

I was going to install these yesterday but when I went to put them on they did not fit exactly. There are some tabs in the corners that prevent them from sitting in the cover. Do I need to modify the tabs? Did anyone else have this problem? The part number is correct, I double checked. TIA

 

[Morbid]

I put mine on and they worked as advertised.

I saw those tabs (one says "cover side" and the other "intake side") and I just left them on. But made sure the lettering was facing the cover when installed.

I don't think they fit into the cover exactly until you torque 'em up.

Before I put mine in I tried them in the valve cover, to check the fit
and was not like the cork or rubber ones.

But if you've got a v6 231 3.8L and are using the VS 50156 T's they will work.

HTH

Morbid

 

[Puddlian]

The tabs I am talking about were on the corners. I'll just put them in. Right engine, right part. Thanks.

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by Morbid
I put mine on and they worked as advertised.

<snip>

But if you've got a v6 231 3.8L and are using the VS 50156 T's they will work.

HTH

Morbid

That's sorta like saying a "v6 231 3.8L" PCV valve will work just fine in our cars also

Bzzzzt. Not really.

The only place there should be tabs on the turbo motor valve cover gaskets are: One on each end, and two on each long side aprox. 1" in from each corner (maybe that's what you mean by on the corners, but they're really in about an inch).

 

[Puddlian]

nope - I do have 2 tabs along one side stating "intake" and "cover" but the other two are definately in the corners...

one of the corner tabs fit nicely in the cover groove, the other one doesn't. One corner tab is stamped 50156T - the other is stamped Felpro. I just expected a better fit. Is the one tab suppose to flatten out after bolting the cover on????? oy. Does this picture look like yours???

 

[TurboDave]

Well, they sure don't look right to me, but then again, I NEVER use rubber valve cover gaskets anyway.

 

[Puddlian]

I ended up going to the parts store and getting a set of cork ones with all the tabs in the right places anyway - fits fine.
So TurboDave, do you suggest cork over the rubber/metal ones? I just want to stop the leaking...and if the cork works-fine.

 

[Morbid]

Puddlian

Thoose are the same ones I put on.

Federal Mogul

Which makes the FelPro line makes no distinction for engine type for this product (Turbo or Naturally Aspirated).

BTW I have the latter 3.8L which was the point, TurboDave
I was trying to make.

I know even with the same block, 3.8L 231, parts can be different between having a turbo and not. But the package says 3.8L 231 1977-89 and that's all.

Lastly Puddlian , I brought these gaskets based on reccommedations read at these fourms. I've only had them on for 4 or 5 days now, but so far no leaks.

The back of the box says you can't return them once opened. If you have not installed them yet I would try the drivers side, easier accessibility and see for yourself.

I'm really not sure what the tabs are for or how they lay out after installation.

Good Luck

Morbid

 

[TurboD1987]

Here's one more option for your valve covers, it's the Felpro # VS 50156 R. I used these on my car with no problems. They are stock replacement black rubber with the original tabs,3 on each side and one on each end.

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by Puddlian
I ended up going to the parts store and getting a set of cork ones with all the tabs in the right places anyway - fits fine.
So TurboDave, do you suggest cork over the rubber/metal ones? I just want to stop the leaking...and if the cork works-fine.

I prefer using the cork gaskets for a number of reasons.
Ease of installation
Proper fit.

And when installed properly (rtv'd to the valve cover), they can be reused many many times. Make sure the gasket to head surface is not glued or rtv'd.

Never leak when properly torqued, and checked on a once very few months basis. Yes, they'll need to be re-tightened occasionally.