Rubber or Cork?

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

Need to replace the valve cover gaskets on my 2.8L as I am tired of the garage smelling like hot oil on the exhaust manifolds. Whats better, Rubber or Cork?

 

[adsm08]

Its a matter of preference. Rubber wont rot out as quickly as cork, but it stands a better chance of getting pushed out somewhere. My personal preference is RTV gasket maker, which I am sure that AllanD will disapprove of. However, I have put rubbers in my 87 and put gasket maker on either side of it (yes, very improper use, I know) and it hasn't leaked since. The gasket maker if used properly will work just fine, and it wont fall off, push out, rot, or break.

 

[kunar]

no gaskets, just RTV

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

also check you local dealership because sometimes they make ones with rubber and steel together

 

[ranger_mclaren]

no gaskets, just RTV

+3

 

[baxtej44]

i used rubber with such a small amount of RTV just to set it in place.

pretty sure it hasn't leaked since.

 

[Toms01PSD]

I used rubber gaskets with no RTV and they don't leak...

 

[trail B2]

I just put metal with rubber in mine and it leaks maybe i should try the rtv method its on the non intake side so it wont take long to at least try.

 

[chillmiller]

RTV is amazing im a marine mechanic and use it everyday any time i wanna make sure something is gonna seal RTV