Don't use rubber gaskets!!

Twin Pinzies · Post by **Twin Pinzies** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:39 am

I decided to try the "upgraded" rubber gaskets on my valve covers and oil pan. DON'T DO IT!!! The OEM paper gaskets will not shift, squish out, or rot like the rubber ones will. My "upgrade" lasted about a month before all the rubber gaskets started failing left and right!

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:16 pm

Did you use Scotts. or a cheaper one?

Twin Pinzies · Post by **Twin Pinzies** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:39 pm

I got mine from SAV but I don't think that they are trying to sell substandard rubber. I think that they are just a bad idea from the get go.

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:25 pm

We also gave up on the rubber gaskets. They just did not seem to stay seated like the original ones. Too bad though it sure seemed like it should have worked. Maybe if there were a groove to keep them in place or tabs, something along those lines. All of the ones used here whether a tacky gasket sealer or silicone was used all failed to stay in place.

STPPINZ · Post by **STPPINZ** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:42 pm

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:59 pm

You have to make sure the mating surfaces are flat for good results when using any rubber gaskets. I have found numerous warped valve covers, a good belt sander will help repair the surface. One more tip, NEVER use silicone sealant on rubber. Brush tack or Super glue on ONE SURFACE ONLY. If you try to use sealer on both sides of a gasket it may split when tightened(hydraulic pressure)

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:29 pm

This is probly going to be a dumb question, was the rubber gasket made as a cheaper source or an upgrade?

pinzinator · Post by **pinzinator** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:05 am

I ruined my first rubber pan gasket by overtightening. I bought another one, and was very careful to tighten in sequence while watching the gasket. Once it STARTED to squish from compression I stopped tightening and torqued all of the nuts the same with an inch-pound wrench. I found the rubber takes much less torque than the cork gasket. I drove a few miles and re-torqued slightly and everything is OK. I used nothing on any surface, such as sealer or tack. Personally I would rather use cork gaskets for low compression applications such as the pan gasket or valve covers.

MASSIVE PINZ · Post by **MASSIVE PINZ** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:24 am

Some engine oils are not compliant with certain forms of rubber... I used the SAV units on my Pinz and it doesn't leak a drop, but I did coat them with a bit of grease on both sides at the time of install..

Over torquing is a common mistake amde.. A little loose is much better than too tight, especially when the engine expands and contracts a few times.

hrafn · Post by **hrafn** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:07 pm

My rubber valve cover gaskets (purchased from Scott) are still intact after a
year. I glued the rubber to the valve cover with Indian Head Gasket
Shellac. I had plenty of trouble keeping the OEM paper gaskets in place,
even if they were glued.

Thomas-E · Post by **Thomas-E** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:12 pm

I bought Scotts gaskets and have had the rocker covers on and off a couple of times to adjust the valves over the last year and a half.....
NO LEAKS!

Thomas E.
712M (soon to be 712C amper)
Sonora, CA

AZ_Dave · Post by **AZ_Dave** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:01 pm

used to have a customer with a mobile gasket cutting service. They had a computer full of specs and several different materials and a cutter in the back of a van. You could also give them your own specs and get custom-cut gaskets for just about any application (industrial/old cars/machinery). Anyone hear about such a thing. I hear you all talking about preferring cork and having trouble with OEM, etc. Wonder if finding such a place and getting a bunch cut from the best material/splitting costs between pinz owners would be worth while or not. Anyone have any experience with such a company or know about costs. Are good gaskets that hard to come by? Is this a good idea or should i stop talking?

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:35 pm

Dave, from what I can see both gaskets are can be baught from the pinz suppliers now. Looks like its just a matter of personal pref. I'll have to ask why my mechanic goes with the cork and not the rubber. I bet its just a personal pref tho

PinzEOD · Post by **PinzEOD** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:16 am

hrafn wrote:My rubber valve cover gaskets (purchased from Scott) are still intact after a year. I glued the rubber to the valve cover with Indian Head Gasket Shellac. I had plenty of trouble keeping the OEM paper gaskets in place, even if they were glued.

Ditto

STPPINZ · Post by **STPPINZ** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:43 am

My valve cover gasket's have been good, but the oil pan gasket is a different story...leaky sucka

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Don't use rubber gaskets!!

Don't use rubber gaskets!!

Rubber Gaskets