Cork or Rubber Sump Oil Seals?

[JGeezer]

I've gone through the forum for sump mounting advice. I am making the sump mating surface as flat as possible (it was quite distorted), and read the many opinions on sealants, but my sump gasket set came with both cork and rubber front/rear oil seals. What to chose? I haven't found this question addressed, sorry if I missed it.

Somehow, I'm sure there will be opinions out there...

[promotor]

Can you post a photo of the gaskets supplied? Do both the rubber and cork gaskets physically fit your oil seal carriers?

[JGeezer]

Can you post a photo of the gaskets supplied? Do both the rubber and cork gaskets physically fit your oil seal carriers?

OK, rechecked with the vendor and was told some later sumps used the rubber ones. They don't really fit mine, as they are a bit wider than the cork, and the sump has a raised ridge in the seal area while the rubber seals have a flat back.

[promotor]

Can you post a photo of the gaskets supplied? Do both the rubber and cork gaskets physically fit your oil seal carriers?

OK, rechecked with the vendor and was told some later sumps used the rubber ones. They don't really fit mine, as they are a bit wider than the cork, and the sump has a raised ridge in the seal area while the rubber seals have a flat back.

Sounds like you're sorted then!

[rgh0]

Later Ford Cross flows used the rubber front and back seals. Lotus stayed always with the narrower cork seals as the front cover design was never changed to accommodate the wider rubber seal. I see twin cams that have the later real seal carrier with the wider sump seal groove as people change them without being aware of the difference and this can be a source of problems if you fit the narrower cork gasket in the wider groove.

cheers
Rohan