OPINION: Rubber or Cork?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: South Florida
OPINION: Rubber or Cork?
I am sure the debate here is spirited so I thought I would throw it out there...
Valve Cover Gasket:
FelPro Part No. VS12869R RUBBER
FelPro Part No. VS12869 CORK
Which one would you reccomend of the two and why?
Thanks in advance...
Valve Cover Gasket:
FelPro Part No. VS12869R RUBBER
FelPro Part No. VS12869 CORK
Which one would you reccomend of the two and why?
Thanks in advance...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
I use Mr. Gasket Ultraseal gaskets with my cast aluminum covers and ARP studs. The Ultraseals are cork gaskets with a non-stick coating so they don't tear when removing the valve covers.
Never had a need to glue the gaskets. No leaks and I can remove the valve covers easily.
Never had a need to glue the gaskets. No leaks and I can remove the valve covers easily.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 5
From: Clifton NJ
Rubber here on my 72 BB, although the Mr Gasket Ultraseal cork / non stick coating combo sounds good also. Never had much luck with plain cork on my 67 BB, always seemed to leak at lower rear of passenger side.
Cheers
NJ BB Ken
Cheers
NJ BB Ken
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
Originally Posted by SteveG75
I use Mr. Gasket Ultraseal gaskets with my cast aluminum covers and ARP studs. The Ultraseals are cork gaskets with a non-stick coating so they don't tear when removing the valve covers.
Never had a need to glue the gaskets. No leaks and I can remove the valve covers easily.
Never had a need to glue the gaskets. No leaks and I can remove the valve covers easily.
I have removed mine at least 5 time. No leaks either. 
nice avatar
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Cork will harden and crack with age. At least that's what the one's in my 68 did until I eventually replaced them with rubber/neoprene. Once the cork gaskets crack, they leak oil and the resulting oil leaks do an excellent job preserving the engine compartment and underneath of the car. When I eventually cleaned off the accumulated oil and dirt, the parts underneath all the gunk, looked like the day they came off the assembly line.
