Rear Crank Cover Cork Gasket

[AlfaLofa]

Here's is a picture of an engine I have.

It's has a Mk1 block with a 6-bolt crank.

I have a sump gasket kit - but the rear cork gasket appears to be too narrow for the rear cover.

The groove in the aluminium cover is approx. 7mm wide whereas the cork gasket is only about 4.5mm in width.

The rear cover came with the block - but I don't know if it is the correct cover.

So my question is what gasket set should I order which has a gasket for my rear cover

Also in my gasket set is a (white) nylon washer with an ID of about 0.5" - where is this supposed go

It's like the washer arrowed in this picture filched from SJ Sportscars.

[oldchieft]

Looks like a cross flow cover to me.

My guess for the washer would be the sump plug!

Jon the Chief

[types26/36]

Generally speaking the early Xflow used the same cork seals and cover as the 6 bolt TC but the later Xflow used a different cover and wider rubber seals (see pic) although I believe some TC's did have rubber seals.
I always fit the later Xflow cover as I believe the wider Xflow rubber seal is better.
The problem is if you buy the later Xflow sump set you will get the rubber seals but it will not fit on the TC front cover as this is still for the narrow cork seal.
I overcome this buy using some "O" ring section rubber to make the front seal as I do not like the cork seal.
Edit: just re-read your post and I see your cover has a 7mm groove so just went and measured the TC corks and they are 7mm (or near enough) so I dont know what your 4.5 mm cork is from

[AlfaLofa]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your reply and the excellent photos.

Your photo of the recesses in the covers shows the groove in the twin cam cover as 7mm - which matches the measurement I took from the cover attached to my block.

So it begs the question - which rear cover does my 4.5mm wide cork gasket fit?

I fortunately also have a 711 rear cover - although I didn't know it was a 711 until your posting

Thus I think I might go with the 711 cover and a rubber gasket.

Brian in your last photo it looks as if the front rubber seal is slightly narrower than the rear. Could you please tell me if this front seal is about 7.75-8.00 mm wide? (If it is it will do just fine for the non standard groove in the AKS front cover).

[types26/36]

Steve,
The front and rear rubber seals are about the same so maybe its the pic that is deceiving, here are some pics showing the size on the outside width and also the width between the raised section.
Then a pic of the inner section which has two "ribs"
If you want one pm me your address, I'm sure I have a few kicking about.

[G4ILN]

I'm rebuilding my twin cam engine at the moment and have the exact same problem. The groove in my rear cover is 7mm wide and the groove in the front cover is 6.37mm wide. The cork seals in the gasket set are way too narrow at about 4.5mm wide. I've no idea what engine they were intended for. Perhaps they've been incorrectly manufactured or specified?

Looking through cork seals left over from previous rebuilds I found a suitable cork seal for the front cover, but I've nothing to suit the rear cover. Does anyone know of a UK supplier who has the correct cork seals? I guess I'm going to have to buy a complete sump gasket kit.

I must have had the sump off about four times in the last 40 years, mainly for water pump repairs, but I've never come across this problem before.

Thanks, Graham.

[G4ILN]

I purchased a Payen gasket set from Burton Power and this had the correct 7mm width cork seals. The gasket set which had cork seals, which were too narrow, was unbranded.

Graham.