rubber or cork valve cover gaskets

[andys70c10]

what do ya'll prefer & why? sb chevy.

[OrangeCrush1970]

Rubber, the cork will split if you mess up and crank the vc's down too much. Rubber just lasts longer.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

I'm old shool, I like cork. It's hard to find them now though. I looked for ever for a cork trans pan gasket, finally went with rubber and it took me forever to get it to quit leaking. Snug the nuts up with cork and you can't go wrong.

[Sinister]

I like rubber, it lasts longer an seals better.

[tcb-1]

I like old school cork, but you do have to watch your torque values on the cover bolts. AND you must use spreaders!!

[chevy72blu]

I prefer cork as well, with a little gasket maker... Ive just had less of them get to leaking on me. I have not had any leaks without spreaders - the torque is the key. You need less than you think

[andys70c10]

do ya'll use gasket sealer with the rubbers?

[OrangeCrush1970]

I still use RTV sealer w/ my rubber gaskets.

[chevguy7]

I have only used cork on mine, no leaks at all.

[Myself]

I use Versa Chem OEM Grey Gasket Maker. No gaskets at all, and never have leaks.

[hvychve]

Rubber all the way, The cork gets hard and than loses its sealing abilty, has to be changed more often than rubber........

[Ole Blue 68]

No contest, rubber.

I still use RTV with it and haven't had any problems.

[70GMCer]

Cork with metal made in between. Costs more, but worth it.....

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Use these (fabricated) and you'll never have to worry about torquing down too much again. This is what I have, except with the breather holes. The big advantage is even pressure all the way around the gasket face. High grade billet 6061 T5 aluminum. Very thick. plus, it kinda makes a SBC look like a BBC.

[andys70c10]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

Use these (fabricated) and you'll never have to worry about torquing down too much again. This is what I have, except with the breather holes. The big advantage is even pressure all the way around the gasket face. High grade billet 6061 T5 aluminum. Very thick. plus, it kinda makes a SBC look like a BBC.

those are nice but a little out of my low buck budget, i think i'm going with rubber. Thanks for all the help

[corn]

I like the rubber gaskets. Ive had good luck reusing them too.

[Mint68]

Go rubber for the valve covers. Cork causes problems once you want to take them off for adjustments.

[tim21391]

i prefer cork...the motor shop put rubber gaskets on my valve cover and it only lated 10,000 miles and it leaked...i used this weatherstrip adhesive for a gasket maker and the weatherstrip adhesive and the cork go good together i havent had leaks yet...my old rubber gasket was cracked and everything....i got my cork set for like $13

[68gmsee]

I've used both but overall I prefer cork with rubber.

Rubber lasts longer but tends to leak- at least in some cases. Holds it's shape better.

Cork won't last as long since it tends to harden but, with proper torque, seals better. Tends to shrink some when dry.

I still use a thin layer of permatex gasket adhesive. Strictly to hold the gasket in place to the covers.

FYI: Something I read recently in Popular Mechanics... Silicone based sealers can contaminate oxygen sensors in newer vehicles. The chemicals are absorbed into the oil and in turn burned in the combustion chambers. Not sure if this is true.

[faribran]

have you ever had to remove the cork ones...??? "nuff said.

[Ole Blue 68]

Originally Posted by faribran

have you ever had to remove the cork ones...??? "nuff said.

x2

[420am]

Check into the Fel-Pro PermaDryPlus gaskets. They're rubber with metal re-enforcement and they're actually reusable. I just put a set on my truck. They were $21 at O'Reily's.