Cork v Rubber gaskets ?

[Mr Bean]

Well I went for 60's technology and 60's glue, Copydex (to fasten to cover) and Mocki's finger of grease. AND (another out of context) I still have a dribble!

Used diesel oil is like spilt red wine, a tiny drop goes a hell of a long way. I'm completely flummoxed. I think I'll put a piece of rag to soak it up.

Bloody vans! Regards, Max

Well since you seem to be flummoxed at the moment you might be interested in how I fixed such a problem in a 2.3 Bedford CF engined van which I aquired for a very reasonable price as the PO had got fed up with replacing the alternator which sat under the sloping cylinder head of the engine. Oil dripping from the cylinder head cover kept wrecking the alternator. After a couple of failed attempts to fix this problem gasket wise, I introduced a simple and everlasting modification:
I made four identical curved plates each with a thin strip of steel tacked on by which which means the curved section wrapped round the cam shaft over each pair of cam followers and was held in position by the cover. The oil ordinarily getting flung from the camshaft was now guided away from the pooling at the gasket interface and safely directed safely down the cylinder head drainage apertures.
I guess this solution would only be suitable for certain engines but clearly illustrates the problems associated pooling over gasket joints.

[Oldiebut goodie]

When goo or grease is put on gaskets you are adding lubricant and this can often permit the gasket to slide out of position as the parts are tightened. The downside of using a dry gasket can be that the gasket cannot be re-used in an emergency as they stick to the surfaces and are invariably destroyed on dismantling.

[Mocki]

Well I went for 60's technology and 60's glue, Copydex (to fasten to cover) and Mocki's finger of grease. AND (another out of context) I still have a dribble!

Used diesel oil is like spilt red wine, a tiny drop goes a hell of a long way. I'm completely flummoxed. I think I'll put a piece of rag to soak it up.

Methinks that gluing one side has defeated the using grease on the other side
The gasket cannot centralise under the pressure ....

[Porkscratching]

It would appear that the problem isn't and wasn't the rocker cover gasket. It would seem the gasket replacement, glueing one surface and allowing the head surface free to expand was a complete success (and a waste of time). There's still the slightest of leaks that's near to but separate from the rocker cover. I hate my engine not being bone dry but it looks as though I'll have to learn to live with it.

A right bodge but for the time being I'll use some rag to soak it up.

Regards, Max