Cam cover gasket

[Jameshadley]

Hi, I've finally got my excel on the road. Unfortunately ive got the dreaded cam cover leak. Ive read about people using a rubber gasket but I cant find anyone who stocks. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Thank you.

[Phantasm]

The Cam cover is leaking? Or the Cam carrier? The cover has gasket options and you can add sealant to enhance the seal. Easy fix. Repaint them while they're off. The carrier requires just a specific fluid locktite something for zero gap connections. I forget the number off the top of my head and has no gasket. Removing the carrier is a more involved job but more likely where you are leaking imho. Mine leaks to the plug Wells and the space between the intake carrier and carbs because of this setup.

[Jameshadley]

Thanks Bill, I'm presuming and hoping it's the cam cover, I'll give it a closer inspection tonight .

[amarshall]

Which type of cover do you have? Is it the older "saddle" type or the later "flat" type? (black top vs. red top)

[Jameshadley]

It's the old saddle type.

[fueltheburn]

Neither original or rubber gaskets are better than each other.
Careful prep and clean mating surfaces goes a long way.
Cork gaskets have also been employed to good effect.

[Jameshadley]

Can you buy ready made cork gaskets or do you make them yourself? The engine was rebuilt on the bench and every mating surface was spotless.

[Jameshadley]

If I were to make my own cork gasket can anyone advise on what thickness to use . Thanks.

[Pete Boole]

Make sure you do not over-tighten the covers! Jason Goad's engine has cork gaskets that are oil-tight. I think he made them himself. He might chime in!

Pete

[Jason.goad]

Ding dong.
Hello. As Pete said I did make my own gaskets from cork sheet. I copied an original gasket.
When fitting just smear grease on the mating surface to hold the gasket in place.
I'll upload some pics a bit later

[Jameshadley]

Thanks Pete, do you recall what thickness you used?

[Pete Boole]

Thanks Pete, do you recall what thickness you used?

Ask Jason!

Pete

[DavidOliver]

For JamesHadley-
On saddle type cam covers I use the standard fibre gasket (3-4 mm thick) which I preform inside the saddle cover by laying inside the upturned cam cover on the workbench with a heavy-ish bar across the gasket for 24 hours.
I then use silicon gasket compound (1mm smear) on the cover side of the gasket to set the gasket to the cam cover, again with a bar to hold the gasket in place for at least 6 hours, enough time to hold the gasket in place but still with flexibility
in the silicone,
Then apply silicone to the carrier face side of the gasket and fit to cam carrier.
Without starting the engine, after 6 hours retighten.

Dave the cog.

[Jameshadley]

Thanks for that Dave, the gasket I used was a paper gasket and was probably less than 1mm thick. Any recommendations for a fibre gasket supplier.

[Jason.goad]

Found my old post about the cork gaskets.
Updated the pics.
I used 1.5mm cork sheet for gaskets.
Cheers

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