Here's a question cork vs. rubber gaskets which do you think are better?
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Cork
I tend to like cork better, although I'd be interested in seeing what the general concensus is here.
I find that when you use rubber like on the oil pan, that they like to get split especially if over torqued. Cork also seems to be more accepting of blue glue.
Good question
I tend to like cork better, although I'd be interested in seeing what the general concensus is here.
I find that when you use rubber like on the oil pan, that they like to get split especially if over torqued. Cork also seems to be more accepting of blue glue.
Good question
Chris McDade
Active Member
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- 1,840
Good one Drew L. 
Im a cork man myself...I never have had any luck with the rubber gaskets..
Im a cork man myself...I never have had any luck with the rubber gaskets..
TR Custom Parts
Mark Hueffman - Owner
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- May 25, 2001
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Cork! Nice not to have a leaking oil pan!
Not to be the devils advocate here but I like the rubber gaskets for the oil pan. For the valve covers it depends on the type of cover IMO.
In my experience when you torque the bolts on the oil pan with a rubber gasket you need to pay close attention to the gasket. Torque the bolts slowly once they start to tighten while watching for the gasket to start "bulging" out. Once it does that bolt is tight enough then move on to the next bolt and repeat. Rubber gaskets wont get oil soaked over time and seem to hold their integrity(sp?) better in a blown/turbo app that has a little extra blow by. Also I use some gasket shelack(sp?) on both sides of rubber gaskets in a turbo/blown application to cut down on the possibility of oil "wheeping" around the gasket after the engine gets a lot of miles on it and the blow by starts going up.
To sum it up in my experience the rubber oil pan gaskets are superior as long as you dont over torque them. A 3/8 speed wrench is all you need... leave the 1/2" breaker bar in the tool box.
Valve covers are a diff story. Flimsy stamped steel covers seem to work best with cork/silicone. Cast or heavy gauge covers (read: rigid) do just fine with rubber gaskets as they dont deform nearly as bad when the bolts are tightened. As was mentioned cork will more readily accept silicone/blue glue/whatever. You can use silicone on rubber gaskets but I always give them a cleaning with ether to remove the mold release so the silicone will stick to the rubber gaskets better.
The key to getting a leak free seal with any gasket IMO is to make absolutely sure the surfaces are clean/dry and you dont over tighten them. Ether makes an excellent cleaner and doesnt leave a residue like brake cleaner or carb cleaner. Right before gasket installation I spray a clean rag with ether and wipe both surfaces down. Just use the ether with some common sense and good ventilation as it does tend to kill brain cells if you breath large quantities of it.
In my experience when you torque the bolts on the oil pan with a rubber gasket you need to pay close attention to the gasket. Torque the bolts slowly once they start to tighten while watching for the gasket to start "bulging" out. Once it does that bolt is tight enough then move on to the next bolt and repeat. Rubber gaskets wont get oil soaked over time and seem to hold their integrity(sp?) better in a blown/turbo app that has a little extra blow by. Also I use some gasket shelack(sp?) on both sides of rubber gaskets in a turbo/blown application to cut down on the possibility of oil "wheeping" around the gasket after the engine gets a lot of miles on it and the blow by starts going up.
To sum it up in my experience the rubber oil pan gaskets are superior as long as you dont over torque them. A 3/8 speed wrench is all you need... leave the 1/2" breaker bar in the tool box.
Valve covers are a diff story. Flimsy stamped steel covers seem to work best with cork/silicone. Cast or heavy gauge covers (read: rigid) do just fine with rubber gaskets as they dont deform nearly as bad when the bolts are tightened. As was mentioned cork will more readily accept silicone/blue glue/whatever. You can use silicone on rubber gaskets but I always give them a cleaning with ether to remove the mold release so the silicone will stick to the rubber gaskets better.
The key to getting a leak free seal with any gasket IMO is to make absolutely sure the surfaces are clean/dry and you dont over tighten them. Ether makes an excellent cleaner and doesnt leave a residue like brake cleaner or carb cleaner. Right before gasket installation I spray a clean rag with ether and wipe both surfaces down. Just use the ether with some common sense and good ventilation as it does tend to kill brain cells if you breath large quantities of it.
I also like to use rubber gaskets on the valve covers and oil pan. As long as both surfaces are clean. I too, use a solvent (usually rubbing alcohol) to clean the surfaces before I put it together. With rubber gaskets you have to make sure you don't over toque it.
Best part is they are reusable. I've had my valve covers off quite a few times and I am still using the same gaskets!
Best part is they are reusable. I've had my valve covers off quite a few times and I am still using the same gaskets!
Good points..
No, you weren't being a devil's advocate.. I'm not saying rubber gasket are the worst things in the world.. I just prefer cork. As a matter of fact, I think there's a rubber gasket on my Buick now and it's doing well. Jere, you also have a good point about being reusable. Now we just need quick release valve covers and heads so Scott Simpson can change those head gaskets between runs.
Yes, I know about them buldging out, but even then I've had a few split before.
I feel like breaking out the impact gun at that point.
No, you weren't being a devil's advocate.. I'm not saying rubber gasket are the worst things in the world.. I just prefer cork. As a matter of fact, I think there's a rubber gasket on my Buick now and it's doing well. Jere, you also have a good point about being reusable. Now we just need quick release valve covers and heads so Scott Simpson can change those head gaskets between runs.
Yes, I know about them buldging out, but even then I've had a few split before.
I feel like breaking out the impact gun at that point. I've had the best luck with cork oil pan gaskets. I'm actually using one that is super thick (I think it's Felpro high performance) and have had no problems. I prefer Rubber for the valve covers though. I just picked up a set of rubber ones from Felpro and they are from the high performance line. They actually have ribs to help make the seal better and they are reusable. When I have time I will be putting them on, but they look sweet and I think will hold way better than any other gasket. I got them at Autozone.
Little6pack
Active Member
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- Jun 2, 2002
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I think cork leaks less but is a bitch to scrap off when replacing.
& opposite for rubber.
Of course if I put a rubber on my cork I wouldn't have 4 kids
& opposite for rubber.
Of course if I put a rubber on my cork I wouldn't have 4 kids
P
pat83t
Guest
I sell gaskets all day long, day in and day out and get asked this question all day long. This is what my response is to this question.
Cork=Seals better.
Rubber=Lasts longer.
Cork=Seals better.
Rubber=Lasts longer.
