Cam carrier gaskets

[OldSkoolGP]

Does anyone know if you can get the Fel-Pro cam carrier gaskets without buying the entire Fel-pro head set? I really don't feel like dropping 90 bux at the dealer for 2 gaskets. The fel-pro part number I guess is 95805.

[RednBlack]

I've been looking too. I think John's Auto Parts here in Dayton can get them. I'll call tomorrow, or today, later. I know they are available. This is copied from Fel Pro site.

Fel-Pro leak repair gaskets are sold individually or in sets:
Valve Cover Gaskets
Oil Pan Gaskets
Manifold Gaskets
Transmission Pan Gaskets
Timing Cover Gaskets
Rear Main Seals
Individual Gaskets

I think Johns will be able to get them.

[your_I.D.]

I used mine over. I put a very very thin coat of rtv around spark plug holes. No leals as of yet.

[OldSkoolGP]

Worth trying, and I am saving my old ones, only got a year on them. But with the revs I'll be running, I'd still perfer the safe route. I could try that when I gotta do timing on my GTP.

[Mach10]

cut yourself some new ones from cork stock

What's the crushed thickness of the stock felpro?

[RednBlack]

I called Johns', they said Fel Pro does not sell this gasket individually, which is stupid. So unless you get it from a dealer, or persuade Fel Pro to sell it, I don't know, but if you find out, let me know.

I'll check some other sources.

95805 doesn't come up at Fel Pro. Sure it's right?

[your_I.D.]

cut yourself some new ones from cork stock

What's the crushed thickness of the stock felpro?

The gaskets are made of aluminum. With rubber(nitrile i think) seals bonded around the edges.

[OldSkoolGP]

Well it's what Ben told me was stamped on a Fel-Pro gasket. Of course that doesn't mean it's a part number.

[Mach10]

I know that they have a nitrile component... I didn't know about the alumium though.

I've always found that a decent cork gasket will tend to hold oil better than plastic. Actually, let me rephrase that; Cork is more forgiving than plastic in terms of surface imperfections. The problem is that if you let the engine sit for long periods, the cork will dry out, contract, then crack.

Cork won't break down in oil (not that nitrile will) and there's no pressure per-se from the oil galleries. My concern with it working or not would be more of an issue of crush-thickness. Water can be more of an issue if there isn't enough clamp-force to stop the gasket from becomming water-logged.

In general though, it's best to go with the proper engineered gaskets, and leave the corkies for if/when (god forbig) they stop making the OEM replacements.

[OldSkoolGP]

Even if GM stops, I'm sure Fel-Pro will pick up the slack. There will always be someone to make parts for motors somewhere. Even if we have to start making our own gaskets someday, they'll be out there. but just to be sure, maybe we should all save one of a good gasket in case we need someone to make more someday.

[series8217]

Cork won't break down in oil (not that nitrile will) and there's no pressure per-se from the oil galleries.

There is a pressurized passage in the cam carrier.

[RednBlack]

Doesn't matter anyway. Cork compresses too much at these torque specs. 20 ft/lbs. It will squeeze it out the side, with no internal retainer to hold it. Cork gaskets are torqued in in/lbs.

I've E Mailed Fel Pro and Mr. Gasket on the subject. Maybe a bulk buy. No word as of yet.

[Mach10]

Cork won't break down in oil (not that nitrile will) and there's no pressure per-se from the oil galleries.

There is a pressurized passage in the cam carrier.

Ah, crap, you're right... The cam oiling system.

About the 20ft-lbs, I've seen up 26-30ft-lbs work OK on cork waterpump gaskets. (coughjaguarcough).Still not appropriate for a pressurized oiling setup.

[RednBlack]

I have never seen a cork water pump gasket. Jags got them?

On a good note, Mr. Gasket/cam division, mailed me back. Gotta wait till Monday. Maybe something, maybe nothing. How many sets do we need? I could use 4 myself.

[Mach10]

Yeah, but Jags also have a reputation for leaving puddles everywhere. While the bottom-end, head-design, and combustion chamber in their motors was exceptional... The sealing technology (and stubborness to change it) is really what gave the motors a bad name

You're probably right about the crush... I'm pretty sure a cork gasket can handle more than in-lbs, though