Cam cover gasket

[elan+2s]

Good day,

advance, please excuse my bad english.

On my Elan cam cover is leaking. I have looked around the forum and found some older posts on the subject.

Are there new findings such as the camshaft cover can be reliably sealed?

Has anyone ever tried to cut a gasket of silicone sheets?

I look forward to your answers.

regards
Egbert

[john.p.clegg]

Egbert
Two things,you can fit short silicone tubes ( cut to size) on the cam cover fixing studs that are just a tad longer than needed,this effectively helps seal the fixings
Secondly,you can make your own silicone gasket by cleaning both mating surfaces and then lightly oiling one face (head preferred) apply silicone sealant ( low modulus ) onto the cam cover and lay in place (removing any excess from the outside ) leave to cure for a few days and then remove and trim the inside...

John

[Galwaylotus]

Good day,

advance, please excuse my bad english.

On my Elan cam cover is leaking. I have looked around the forum and found some older posts on the subject.

Are there new findings such as the camshaft cover can be reliably sealed?

Has anyone ever tried to cut a gasket of silicone sheets?

I look forward to your answers.

regards
Egbert

I believe you could teach some native English speakers a thing or two!!

[Galwaylotus]

Egbert
Two things,you can fit short silicone tubes ( cut to size) on the cam cover fixing studs that are just a tad longer than needed,this effectively helps seal the fixings
Secondly,you can make your own silicone gasket by cleaning both mating surfaces and then lightly oiling one face (head preferred) apply silicone sealant ( low modulus ) onto the cam cover and lay in place (removing any excess from the outside ) leave to cure for a few days and then remove and trim the inside...

John

Good suggestions, John. Thanks for the submission!

[prezoom]

Make sure your cam cover mating surface is actually flat. To solve my ever present leak, I finally spray glued several sheets of abrasive paper down to a flat steel plate and using a figure 8 movement, pressed the cam down on the abrasive paper. The pattern left showed several areas where no contact was being made. Continuing with the figure 8 movement a few minutes later, all of the mating surface now showed even contact. A new gasket and some flexible sealer, Hylomar, and the leaks went away.

Rob Walker
26-4889

[mbell]

I think your basic options are:
- New cork gasket available from most Lotus suppliers
- Make your own using silicon sealant, as per John instructions
- A new style silicone gasket (Rdent has these not sure who else sells them)

As Rob says making sure the cam cover is flat is a good idea and as mentioned by John good idea to seal the mounting studs. In the US "1/4-in x 5/8-in Neoprene Standard (SAE) Bonded Sealing Washers" are readily available (e.g. Lowes) and what I'll be using. Basically a 1/4 washer with bonded neonprene rubber seal that seals the shaft and surface.

[JJDraper]

Another option, but a bit expensive.... Throw the cat another Goldfish.

http://www.burtonpower.com/parts-by-fit ... 19com.html

Not tried it myself - waiting for someone else to report how good/bad they are...!

Jeremy

[RichardHawkins]

Egbert,

The bonded rubber and steel washer that mbell refers to is often referred to in Britain as a Dowty Washer. I am using these washers and domed stainless "Nyloc" nuts, but my engine is not yet complete, so don't know if this solves the leak.

Hope this helps.

Richard Hawkins

[elanner]

Mbell: Your comment about Neoprene bonded sealing washers is interesting. I seized on these as being a great option for the cam cover studs and installed them. However, in subsequent reading about them I got the distinct impression that although described as Neoprene they are actually EPDM. They're designed mostly for roofing applications as far as I could tell. And it seems that EPDM isn't suitable for oil applications.

Anyway, in the end I couldn't figure out what they were so switched to Viton washers (I later purchased some Seloc washers, which I'll use next time).

The Dowty washers look interesting too. Not seen them before.

Nick

[draenog]

Sealing washers are available from Burton Power:

http://www.burtonpower.com/camshaft-cov ... fl841.html

or QED (where they're called seloc washers):

http://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop/lot ... -cam-cover

You can also usually find them on ebay.

[robertverhey]

Tried selocs but I found that they were "single use" ie rubber disintegrated on removal. A flat washer needed above them to ensure no turning when tightening. But the rubber was still getting damaged by the post threads on removal.

Anyway, went back to fibre washers with a smidgin of silastic both sides. Much cheaper!

[europatek]

The most reliable fail safe sealing method I have tried is;
- pre glue the gasket to the cover (the day before use) using a good silicon gasket material like Permatex grey. Remove the narrow section at the rear of the gasket thus making a screwdriver slot to help lever the cover off at a later date.
- On assembly use Permatex non harding gasket paste on the mating faces and use 1/4" copper washers under the nyloc nuts.
- Use aluminium "D"s in the head at the end of the cams. Glue in using the Permatex grey.
- I also make a small aluminium splash shield that stradels the rear two cam bearng caps that stops the filler cap being showered with oil.
Result, no leaks and multiple reuse of the preglued gasket.

[john.p.clegg]

Anyone know where one can get the aluminium D's from?

John

[7skypilot]

A big thumbs up for the Cometic cam cover gasket. It may be a little expensive, but doesn't compress like cork gaskets and is re-useable.

I fitted one during the last engine build a couple of years ago, along with silicone 'sealing' tubes for the mounting studs. I also used a smear of silicone on one side (useful tips from this wonderful forum). I used Cometic gaskets throughout (no cork anywhere) and I have (almost) no leaks, in fact some sump bolts are rusty!

[oldchieft]

Anyone know where one can get the aluminium D's from?

John

My guess is you have to make them yourself.

Next time I have access to a lathe it is my top of the job list.

Jon the Chief