Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help with oil leaks!!!

[1 Broke Dad]

Alright, here is the deal. I got a 98 12V about a month ago and the engine compartment and underbody were filthy. I degreased it as much as possible to find where the leak may be. I can't seem to determine exactly where the oil may be coming from. I plan on doing the KDP soon, so I will have a new front seal at that time. Is there any typical places that these engines tend to leak at? Another think that seems odd is that it looks like all the valve cover gaskets are leaking. I cleaned it up, tightened down the bolts, and now every one of the covers is seeping down on the head. That just seems odd to me that all of them would be bad. Where is the best place to get gaskets? Are there brands I should stay away from. Help please, I need to get these leaks fixed so I can start driving it to work without leaving a puddle on the concrete.

 

[Joe G.]

The gasket type for the valve covers has changed a couple of times. Get a new set from Cummins. Don't forget the little O-rings the go under the bolt heads. Make very sure that the surfaces that the gaskets touch are very clean. #5 and #6 can be a bear to get on right. I use a mirror to check after each one has been installed to make sure that the valve cover is in the groove and the gasket is not tucked under or protruding. The bolts have a shoulder on them so they don't need to be very tight. Just tight enough to stay put. Addition force only presses the shoulder of the bolt tighter against the head. It does not compress the gasket any tighter. After cleaning it up as good as you can look close whenever you examine if for leaks. The oil will run down the block or, in the case of #6, down the back of the engine. It usually drips from the bottom of the bell housing even if it comes from high on the engine. The blow by hose will make a spot on your concrete. I have extended mine with a longer hose so it drips in front of the driver's side rear tire. That stops it from rust proofing the bottom of the truck. That hose is the only leak I have right now.

 

[WDixon27]

i have the gray valve cover gaskets that came in my cummins sourced head set and i think they suck, while they are not leaking they did swell up quite a bit and became a major pain to reinstall when i retorqued the head a few days later and even worse a week and a half later on the 2nd retorque/valve adjustment, i have some black felpro's in my tool box to try the next time i have the covers off, the local o really had those instock, can't remember how much $$$

Where is the best place to get gaskets? Are there brands I should stay away from