Am I Supposed To Cut These Valve Cover Gasket Tabs Off After Installation?

[blahboybaz]

I used rubber valve cover gaskets when reinstalling the valve covers on my 78' Dodge W200 (400 bb) and they have some pretty hefty tabs on them to help locate the gasket while installing it. You can see them sticking out in the pictures below. Am I supposed to cut those off after everything is bolted down? If not then will the material melt or catch fire from heat when the engine heats up?

 

[blahboybaz]

Hello?

 

[65 sporty]

It's ok either way, cut it off or leave it. It won't catch fire

 

[Basketcase]

I leave them, but you can take them off, they just keep the gaskets in place until you install the cover.

 

[MILO]

Never have I cut them off and I have changed a lot of cover gaskets

 

[7mopar]

Just remember if you cut them off and ever have to remove the cover they will not be there for the next time.

 

[blahboybaz]

Excellent. Thanks for the infos. I suppose I'll leave them then.