which gasket is better?
 

I am curious and as i have yet to see a posting on this, i am wondering what some of you experts think is a better type of gasket.....

rubber, cork, or that liquid gasket

Depends on your application

For valve covers and for the 2 oil pans (trani, engine)

I'm not really big on cork gaskets as they tend to swell up and leak. Cork also usually requires a re torquing after a heat up and cool down of the motor. Rubber usually does a good job overall, but will dry rot over time. RTV can be used for pan gaskets. I believe my wife's Toyota car uses RTV for the oil pan gasket. The one thing you never see is a Toyota with a leaky pan gasket. Must be something to it.

I don't know if I would use RTV alone for a valve cover. If you use too much and it pools on the inside and hardens, it may break off and do damage to the top half of the engine.

I would probably use a gasket material (i prefer rubber if I have the choice over cork) if the manufacture calls for one on that specific application. If they suggest RTV, then you will probably be fine. IF done right, RTV will usually last a LONG time.

Hope this helps

Eric

PS, I'm no expert and if you call me one, my head will swell up and explode like a balloon. :)

gskts
 

Chev tried RTV for valve cover gskts from the factory but dropped the idea. I have used it on differential covers and trans pans and had success. The main thing is to have the surfaces prepped and dont over tighten.