Valve Cover cork gasket (Page 1/4)
Cruzenoob JUL 27, 01:10 PM
Hello guys, I wanted to install my valve covers today and I saw the new gaskets are called cork gaskets. I tried to fit the in the gasket gap, but the new cork gasket is just too big. Am I missing something out, is there a way to squeeze it in the gap, or do I have to use a completly diffrent method?

I'd be glad to hear any solutions, best regards
Cruzenoob JUL 27, 03:44 PM
Can anyone please tell me what this gasket is? Does it always look like that? It is from a original Fel-Pro Gasket set, should I cut the gasket so it fits or somehow press it in? Has anyone else had this problem?

Any help is appreciated!
Patrick JUL 27, 05:42 PM

Cork? Still? This is 2024, not 1924. The "rubber" ones are so much better in regards to sealing properly.
pmbrunelle JUL 27, 05:51 PM
Those flat cork gaskets are meant to be used with the stamped steel valve covers used on other GM 2.8L V6 engines. The flat cork gasket is meant to seal against the flat flange of the stamped steel valve cover.

The Fiero 2.8L V6 uses a special cast valve cover, with a groove for the rubber seal. The flat cork gasket is not compatible with the Fiero valve cover.

You need the FEL-PRO VS50077R gasket set which works with the special cast valve cover.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
Cork? Still? This is 2024, not 1924. The "rubber" ones are so much better in regards to sealing properly.



You cannot arbitrarily choose between cork or rubber; the gasket choice depends on the parts you have in hand.
Patrick JUL 27, 06:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:

You cannot arbitrarily choose between cork or rubber; the gasket choice depends on the parts you have in hand.



I choose to have parts in hand which work with "rubber" gaskets.

I might mention that there are also superior "rubber" gaskets available for the duke, which originally used cork gaskets with its stamped steel valve cover. Even if it wasn't so prone to leakage, cork is so yesterday.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-27-2024).]

Vintage-Nut JUL 27, 07:24 PM

quote
Cruzenoob:
It is from a original Fel-Pro Gasket set


What Fel-Pro part number?

My full gasket kit for the '85-'88 GM / CHEVROLET V6 2.8L - 173 MFI Engine came with TWO PAIR of valve cover gaskets: Cork AND Rubber {silicone}

Obviously to me, I used the 'rubber' set with the 'special' groove and tossed the 'flat' cork pair in the garbage.

As pmbrunelle said very clearly with a Fel-Pro part number; get the 'special' rubber/silicone valve cover gaskets and throw out the cork.

------------------
Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 07-27-2024).]

Cruzenoob JUL 28, 04:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:


Cork? Still? This is 2024, not 1924. The "rubber" ones are so much better in regards to sealing properly.



If I had one I'd use it, but my question was about the cork one ...
Cruzenoob JUL 28, 04:39 AM

quote
Originally posted by Vintage-Nut:

What Fel-Pro part number?

My full gasket kit for the '85-'88 GM / CHEVROLET V6 2.8L - 173 MFI Engine came with TWO PAIR of valve cover gaskets: Cork AND Rubber {silicone}

Obviously to me, I used the 'rubber' set with the 'special' groove and tossed the 'flat' cork pair in the garbage.

As pmbrunelle said very clearly with a Fel-Pro part number; get the 'special' rubber/silicone valve cover gaskets and throw out the cork.



Ok thank you very much guys, I know what you mean, it's that blue rubber gasket that is formed in shape. I threw my old one away (it was brown color so probably the very first from 1987) Since I am from austria and I didn't knew about Rockauto earlier, I ordered a gasket set from a local oldtimer parts shop (it was around 110-120€, If I knew about rockauto earlier I'd buy the right one myself)

But should I really throw it out? I measured it's just a little over 1mm thicker than the gap. Can I somehow cut it, or even when it fits inside it's not compatible? I can order a new pair, but it takes time again and from Rockauto to my location it will be around 60€ just for the valve cover gasket. (Keep in mind for our standards that is a lot of money)

As always gratefull for your help 👍

[This message has been edited by Cruzenoob (edited 07-28-2024).]

Vintage-Nut JUL 28, 08:21 AM

quote
Cruzenoob:
I threw my old {valve cover gaskets} away / But should I really throw it {the new cork gaskets} out? Can I somehow cut it, or even when it fits inside it's not compatible?


1) Mechanic School 101 - Always keep the 'original' parts to examine and compare with the 'new' parts before throwing the old parts away.
2) Yes or keep them for different valve covers.
3) Cut the cork?

RE-READ what pmbrunelle wrote:

quote
pmbrunelle:
The Fiero 2.8L V6 uses a special cast valve cover, with a groove for the rubber seal. The flat cork gasket is not compatible with the Fiero valve cover.



Cruzenoob JUL 28, 03:28 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Vintage-Nut:

[/QUOTE
I did read it, and I get it there is a groove. I would never be able to put it inside unless I cut it carefully. It is not normally made for it, but what I want to know is WHY won't it work. Is it the material? I cut it in shape and applied a small track of high temp gasket silicone on it. Because the cork is compressable and it fills so little gaps, wouldn't it be good because the surface where the valve cover gets put on will squeeze it and seal everything?

This is the worse looking one, I guarantee you the gasket for the valve cover in the back sits perfectly inside the groove