Gasket material?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Gasket material?
Hi, guys, I like to make my own gaskets. What is the best gasket material for valve covers and timing chain cover? Cork? Fiber? Nitrile? and how thick do you like to make 'em? And what sort of sealer do you like to use, if any?
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I don't think plywood would make a very good gasket. I'm looking more for something I can cut with an exacto knife!
I think you may be confusing me with someone else. My carb has a 1/8" thick sheetmetal adapter that I fabricated myself (squarebore carb on an Edelbrock spreadbore intake). I think the whole plywood spacer thing was something people did back before we had the heat-resistant plastics and phenols we have nowadays.
I'm specifically wondering about the timing chain cover. It's made of sheetmetal, so you can't put a lot of torque on the bolts without distorting the sheetmetal. I'm using a Fel-pro one-piece for my oil pan, and it works great, and my valve covers use the same sort of gasket (don't remember the brand name) and they work great, too. (I'm not a fanatic about making my own gaskets!)
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
I think you may be confusing me with someone else. My carb has a 1/8" thick sheetmetal adapter that I fabricated myself (squarebore carb on an Edelbrock spreadbore intake). I think the whole plywood spacer thing was something people did back before we had the heat-resistant plastics and phenols we have nowadays.
I'm specifically wondering about the timing chain cover. It's made of sheetmetal, so you can't put a lot of torque on the bolts without distorting the sheetmetal. I'm using a Fel-pro one-piece for my oil pan, and it works great, and my valve covers use the same sort of gasket (don't remember the brand name) and they work great, too. (I'm not a fanatic about making my own gaskets!)
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
I like cork for the two applications you are referring to. I think it stays in place better underneath the valve covers.
I use a bit of permatex blue just to keep them still while I'm working on getting all of the bolts started.
And BTW, finally bought a one pc. oilpan gasket last year, and I'm NEVER going back to the cork gaskets with the endcap seals!
I use a bit of permatex blue just to keep them still while I'm working on getting all of the bolts started.
And BTW, finally bought a one pc. oilpan gasket last year, and I'm NEVER going back to the cork gaskets with the endcap seals!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I've been using fiber paper gasket material from the auto parts store for years, with no problems. Stuff's only about 1/32" thick, and a light coating of Permatex #2 sealer on both sides, seems to do the trick. Swear, I can smell this stuff in my sleep.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
You can purchase cork in sheets and make your own. But I think it would be cheaper to buy them already made....
And if you look at the bottom lip of the valve covers you can see how thick to make them.
I agree that the one piece oil pan gasket is the best on the market today. Cork and end pieces are PITA for this. FelPro makes a nice one that I used. No leaks after 7 years.
And if you look at the bottom lip of the valve covers you can see how thick to make them.
I agree that the one piece oil pan gasket is the best on the market today. Cork and end pieces are PITA for this. FelPro makes a nice one that I used. No leaks after 7 years.
Last edited by KenSny; May 28, 2012 at 04:00 PM.
