Fel-Pro rubber

...no no no, Fel-Pro isnt making condoms. :p

I had a blue Fel-Pro rubber VC gasket and since have had a nasty leak at the front of the head. It was so bad that at a drive thru, the oil on the exhaust system would make my car look like it was on fire.

I replaced it yesterday with a CORK gasket, and viola! No more leaky oil buring black heap or an 18 yr old car! (yes, Ive already cleaned the hell out of the undercarriage)
What Im thinking happened. The little rings on the FP gasket...you know, that prevent over torquing...
The front ones wouldnt allow the gasket to clamp tight enough where it goes around the front cam tower...causing it to wiggle out and leak.
Has anyone else had this problem with FPs blue gasket? Ive already called Advance Auto and they will give me a refund on the $25 gasket.
First time Ive had problems out of FPs gaskets. Hmmm..

Mine did the same thing. When I get a chance I'm going to replace it for the ford gasket from a mid 90's ranger I've been told its much better and has strips of metal that help it keep its shape so it doesn't pop out.

I like the scenario where the gasket wasn't properly positioned over the cam tower. That is real easy to happen no matter what gasket you got. I know everyone says the Ford gasket is better and some day I will try one. For now I have been running the blue gasket for about 6 years and I have had it off and on at least a dozen time and no problem.

It yours end up leaking again you might want to check the valve cover for flatness. They can warp - bad.

I took a steel cover off my old N/A engine and checked it with the Fel Pro rubber gasket. It would seam that the Steel covers is what the gasket was designed for, not the alumiumum one. Which is probably why it has issues. I'm on my second one and it isn't leaking as much.