Valve Gaskets and Intake Gaskets

[Tad.]

86 swb. Is there anyway I can figure out the thickness of the valve gaskets without pullin em off? I know, sounds stupid, but I don't wanna yank em out to figure it out if I can find out another way. Thanks.

[slammed79]

You can go to a parts store and check them out. There are a bunch of varations though, some thicker ones for after market valve covers, the plastic and cork ones are different thicknesses too.

What are you trying to figure out in the end?

[beastie_3]

What are you trying to figure out in the end?

This

[Tad.]

What are you trying to figure out in the end?

I need to replace em.

[beastie_3]

Well since you have to replace them, why not take them off? Or go down to the parts store and buy the thickest ones there. thickness doesnt really matter.

[Psycho71]

If you can find anywhere on the intake to head mating surface that doesn't have a gasket protruding from the crack, you could get a measurement there and see roughly what the compressed thickness is. if it were me, I'd just get a set of Fel-pro run of the mill intake gaskets and call it good. As said before, thickness doesn't really matter too much. The two surfaces should be parallel with one another.

As for valve cover gaskets, I assume that's what you referred to in the title, I use nothing but rubber gaskets with the steel shim core now. Best, by a long shot, of any other gaskets I've ever used, and re-used. Usually available at any supply house.

[Irish_Alley]

Like said size for this problem atleast doesn’t matter. Its kind of a preference some like them thicker so they can compress them more some like rubber with the steel in it some even double up the cork ones. I would just go with the thick cork ones or spend a couple more bucks with the rubber. As far as the intake buy any of them but don’t use the rubber ends they give ya just use some rtv make a bead and be done with it I never had a rubber seal on the intake that didn’t leak also get some type of cleaner so you can clean both metal surfaces like brake cleaner or something and change your oil after your done

[Captkaos]

Thickness of the gasket doesn't really matter.  Just get a good gasket and replace it.  Just don't crank down on them and crush them or you will be getting leaks.

[Tad.]

Preciate the input, gentleman.