Should both sides of the gasket be oiled before installing?

 

I don't oil it, but I apply some silicone gasket sealer to only the side that attaches to the valve cover.

 

Apply some gasket sealer to the side that going to the valve cover, no oil on either side.

 

No oil or sealer. I have seen people using gasket adhesive against valve cover to hold it in place, but that is what the tabs are for. I install dry. If you are careful and torque the VCs to correct specs, you should not have a problem. Most leakage comes from overtightening the VC bolts and warping the VC.

 

True, but how many stamped steel vc's have you seen that haven't been overtorqued at some point in their life? I'd use some Ultra Black on the vc side to be safe.

 

what's ultra black???

 

a brand of black silicone made by permatex.....

-Gun

 

The new metal framed gaskets are super. they have a metal core and bushed holes so that you can tighten down snuggly and not worry about leaks.
They are reuseable too. No sealer needed.

 

I torqued mine down by feel with a dry cork gasket and no leaks whatsoever.

 

I agree. The Ultra Black by Permatex is great stuff.

I'm dropping my VCs off tomorrow to have a set of 1/2" aluminum spacers cut due to the rockers being too high and hitting the baffles. I'll have to use an upper and lower gasket on each side and the Ultra Black will definitely be used. That said the water cutter at a local CNC shop is an amazing machine!