Ok so I have a 97 cherokee sport. Bought it about 4 months ago and it started leaking. Tracked it to the valve cover gasket. You can feel oil on the back side of it. I replaced with a felpro gasket. It did not stop the leak. Thought maybe I didn't get it on right so took it off and checked it again. The gasket does not fit perfectly on the cover at the corners. It over laps and the lip on the valve cover appears to push down on it. On the rear corner there is even a spot where the rubber tore a little from it. I tried moving it and made sure it was facing the correct way. I need help! Is that normal? I believe the engine may be out of a 96 (it has 96 jeep wrote on the bottom as if from a junk yard) would the gaskets be the same or a small bit different?

 

Make sure the gasket is on the correct way. And make sure when putting bolts in to not force it into the gasket which may cause tearing. You can trim the gasket in spots if it doesn't fit 100%

 

96 and 97 is the same gasket so that isn't the problem. Take a look at the lip on the valve cover where the bolt holes are, make sure they aren't deformed from overtightening.