As I was buying gaskets recently, it occurred to me that we have no reference for people to check when they need some gaskets, but don't need them often enough to know exactly what they want.

I don't presume to create this reference myself, but thought my fellow members might be able to help.

In my own case, I was looking for "stock-type" gaskets (not "racing" stuff), so, based on my own experience, I checked Fel-Pro, which I believe has high-quality OEM-type (or a bit better) gaskets.
I have also used Victor Reinz on my BMW, as they are an OEM supplier to the German manufacturers, and tehy have worked well.

I did not pull the heads, so I did not check into full gasket sets, but I did notice that there was a fairly large number of them.

One thing I observed, and the reason for starting this thread, is that the Fel-Pro descriptions, regardless of the vendor, were remarkably non-descriptive, for instance in cases where two different sets looked the same, but one was double the price of another.

Here is the short list that I came up with, including comments on what the heck they are:

Valve Cover Gaskets -- VS13403R -- 3/32" thick rubber
Valve Cover Gaskets -- VS50259R -- 11/64" thick rubber

Oil Pan Gasket Set -- OS30471C -- Diesel Engine Type, Metal Impregnated Rubber

Oil Filter Base Gasket -- 9948

Intake Manifold Gasket Set -- MS96009 -- Turkey Tray, Small Block to 1972
Intake Manifold Gasket Set -- MS96004 -- Turkey Tray, Big Block to 1972
Intake Manifold Gasket Set -- MS96027 -- Turkey Tray, Small Block, Listed for 1973 and later
(reason unclear, possibly exhaust crssover size)
Intake Manifold Gasket Set -- MS99471 -- Non-Turkey Tray, Small Block
NOTE: Turkey Tray Gaskets protect the HOT bottom of the manifold from splashed oil, the other kind don't.

Conversion Set -- CS81712 -- Timing Set + Oil Pan Set + Oil Filter Pedestal

Distributor O-ring -- 424

Exhaust Gaskets -- MS90021 -- Standard Type
Exhaust Gaskets -- 1439 -- "Racing" Type, 3 Times More Expensive, not sure why
Exhaust Gaskets -- MS93036 -- For 7A (NOT 7A) Heads Only
Exhaust Gaskets -- MrGasket 453
NOTE: exhaust gaskets are not absolutely necessary if manifolds are straight

Timing Gasket Set -- TCS13417 -- Gaskets and Oil Pan Seal - No Sleeve
(NOTE: photo shown on web sites is the wrong product - this set is a correct Olds set)
Timing Gasket Set -- TCS45270 -- Includes Speedy-Sleeve for Repairing Balancer Groove

Rear Main Seal -- "Best Gasket" 3772 -- First Generation 1949-1956 303-324cid Neoprene
Rear Main Seal -- BS6141 -- Small Block Neoprene Ford Type (Y-Block 239, 256, 272, 292)
Rear Main Seal -- BS13879 -- Small Block Neoprene AMC / Jeep Type (196, 199, 232, 258)
Rear Main Seal -- QBS40032 -- Big Block Neoprene Ford Type (460)

PCV Valve Grommet (Valve Cover) -- 42314 -- Dorman HELP! Number

Okay folks, if you add to these, I will repost the list from time to time with your additions.
Racers, you can add your info as well, and I will note that it's racing stuff, to avoid confusion between the two very different applications.

- Eric

 

Excellent Eric. I was just asking someone today about the oil pan gasket set. Very helpful.

 

Lets add this 4 piece intake manifold gasket for the SBO with the baffle in the lifter galley.

FelPro MS9947-1

 

Timing Cover Gasket Set - FEL-PRO Part # TCS45270

(Eric, you helped me choose that one)

Great info on the BMW parts.

 

Header/ exhaust manifold gaskets. Mr. Gasket 453
Big and small block Olds.

 

I added all those (okay, the timing set was there already ).

Any comments about the best / worst things to use them for, or other pointers would be helpful to people, too.

- Eric

 

A clarification on the intake gaskets.

MS96009 is listed for 1972-earlier SBOs



MS96027 is listed for 1973-later. The difference seems to be in the size of the exhaust crossover openings, possibly something to do with the #8 heads(?) (and yes, this one is reversed from the one above).

 

This a great idea and needs to be turned into a sticky

 

Eric,

For me, this is the best RTV that money can buy, if you read the MSDS, it resists gasoline and oil (not all RTV's resist gasoline). I used this VERY liberally on my intake gaskets.

 

Thanks, Joe. I had noticed that that gasket seemed to be listed for both SBO and BBO, but I hadn't noticed the years. I had no idea about the crossover sizes.
Next week, I'll measure the crossovers on a #8, a #6, and a C head and post the differences.

And Thanks, Tony. I agree that it is a good idea to post up your recommendations of sealants as well, though I won't add any to my post yet unless there seems to be a strong consensus on them. That way, people can read everyone's opinions and pick the best one for them.

Personally, though, I am rather fond of Hylomar, which seems to be licensed by several different manufacturers, including Permatex. It never really dries, so you can disassemble and reassemble later without making a huge mess.





Thanks, guys, keep 'em coming!

- Eric

 

You'll be hard pressed to get it to fit a BBO...

It would be cool to incorporate photos of gaskets here, particularly when there's a question of "what's the difference". One example is the regular Olds exhaust gasket vs. the gaskets for 7A heads:

FelPro MS90021, for all but 7A heads:



FelPro MS93036 for 7A heads:

 

I agree, but I'll have to think of how - they need to be placed so they don't interfere with the readability of the listings.

Also, the photos would have to be actually uploaded to the server, and not just linked, as those links tend to change over time.

Which brings up the question: Does anybody independently back up the forum files?
We've all seen individual threads, and entire sites, get lost because of glitches.
It'd suck to put a lot of work together and have it go -POOF- one day.

- Eric

 

But if edelbrock recommends says the ms6027 it's because their intake fits those exhaust crossover ports, but if I have a 1972 or 1971 or earlier block, that gasket, and that manifold aren't going to match exactly to where they need to be on the side of the head.

I was on the phone with Edelbrock anyway, so I asked them about it, and they said if you're not using the choke, block off the crossover ports with 0.015 shim stock and call it a day. I see that causing more problems then it's worth though.

 

The E-brock intake is designed to fit ALL years of SBOs, so they've probably specified the later gasket for that reason. I suspect that the MS6027 seals correctly on the early heads, but not the other way around.

 

This list is awesome, helped me a ton. But I do think the Valve Cover Gasket P/N VS50359R should drop the '3' and insert a '2'.


I think the correct number is VS50259R.


I only know this because I ordered the other one from Rock Auto. I thought it was weird when the box said something about a 1.6L SOHC Mazda! Lol I didn't think I had enough RTV to make them fit the 455... thought about it though.

 

Right you are. Someone keeps moving the darned keys around...

Fixed.

Thanks!

- Eric