My repair manual says put valve cover gasket cement on one side of gasket and place cemented side of gasket against the valve cover. Why can't you put the cement onto the valve cover and then lay the gasket down on the cover?

Also, the manual says use 'Lubriplate' on the push rods, etc. Is Lubriplate the same thing as wheel bearing grease?

 

By putting the sealer on the gasket, you are getting it exactly where it is needed. Valve covers aren't exactly a perfect match to the gasket, so you may have a bare spot by doing it the other way. I never use it myself though, it just covers for other problems, and will probably leak later. If you make sure that the cover surface is flat (especially around the bolt holes) and every thing is clean, don't over-torque it....it will seal.

I can't picture "lubriplate" right this minute but....no, not wheel bearing grease. "Assembly lube" is made to lube the rods until oil pressure gets up there, and easily disolves in the oil. If this is not a new motor, there is probably oil on them already. Or you could just put oil on them as you assemble. (if they were removed...if not, I wouldn't worry about it.)

 

Roger that! Back in the day I never put anything on the valve cover gaskets either and I didn't have any leak problems. Wonder why the manual tells you to do that?