Valve cover gasket brand?

[deathegg]

Hi all,
Time to stop the truly horrible leaking!
I guess the choice is between Beck-Arnley and Felpro.
Both about the same price (in the $20 range).

Is one brand better than the other?
I see the Felpro has little grommets included, (for under the bolts?)

Also, it looks Realllly Easy, but are there any tricks that aren't in the book?
Thanks,
Mark

[1988festivazoom]

i always buy felpro if i have the choice, i have not a single complaint with that company. they make the highest quality gaskets out there!

[gdawgs]

There is one little trick(for fuel injected models). Once you remove all the bolts, you'll try to remove the valve cover, but you'll find that you won't be able to remove it because it interferes with the throttle body. To get the valve cover to clear the throttle body(without removing it), there is a bracket on the front/driver's side of the valve cover that holds the throttle cable. And on the front/passenger side, there is a bracket that I believe is used to attach a hoist to the engine during assembly, it's just a piece of metal with a hole in the middle. Loosen both of these brackets(they bolt into the front side of the head). If I remember correctly you don't need to completely remove them, just loosen them up far enough so the valve cover will clear.

Also, don't over tighten the bolts during re-assembly. If you do, you'll squash and ruin the grommets.

As far as brand goes, probably doesn't matter that much. But if the Felpro comes with the grommets and the other doesn't, go with the Felpro.

[miami man]

pack rat has done it before without removing the throttle body.

[JPT]

Felpro. Nothing else will do for me.