Gasket options- Compressed Graphite

[uudfourty]

Anybody see a problem with using a homemade compressed graphite gasket of similar thickness in lieu of a 7 dollar valve cover gasket?

Aside from the PITA that will come with cutting it, of course.

[catbed]

some one here has a tutorial for it. bwringer or basscliff. they should chime in soon. i was thinking about doing it when i went through my gasket making phase. just buy oem and grease it, so you can reuse it.

[Steve]

I am quite certain that I would spend at least $7 worth of time researching "compressed graphite" to see where to get it, and then going to get it and cutting the gasket.

Unless you have a bunch of it already in hand, what's the advantage?

.

[uudfourty]

I've got access to as much of it as I want in a variety of thicknesses for free.
It's the 700+ degrees F stuff we use for steam generators and whatnot.

The advantage is the $7. That's three and a half 40's, two pounds of ground beef, or seven boxes of mac and cheese, man! Opportunity costs are at stake. :-D

I've got time, not money.

I'm leaking right now, so if It doesn't completely seal, I'm just out a little time If I have to spend the $ to get one.

[Steve]

Well, that certainly addressed the issue of availability, but it raises another question in my feelble mind.

What's a 40 and why would someone pay $2 for one?

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[Billy Ricks]

Well, that certainly addressed the issue of availability, but it raises another question in my feelble mind.

What's a 40 and why would someone pay $2 for one?

.

40 oz malt liquor.

[Steve]

Ah, no wonder I don't have a clue. Have never bought one, never will. 8-[

.

[uudfourty]

Alright, tried it and it was a pita.
You were right, I was wrong. Totally not worth it.

Are there really seven dollar gaskets or are they all 25 or so?
Bikebandit and a few others are selling the 25 dollar ones, as well as realgasket.

[bleeble]

Alright, tried it and it was a pita.
You were right, I was wrong. Totally not worth it.

Are there really seven dollar gaskets or are they all 25 or so?
Bikebandit and a few others are selling the 25 dollar ones, as well as realgasket.

Make sure you compare prices. BikeBandit wanted 20-something dollars for a valve cover gasket that I got from Z1 for $7.

[waterman]

I have used bulk gasket material from car parts stores for clutch, oil pan, and stator covers. These were fairly simple to cut out and have worked fine. The valve cover gaskets are fairly wispy and I have found ebay to be a good supply. Search on gaskets, someone posted how to make them using rifle round cases for the bolt holes (6mm rem is just perfect).

[uudfourty]

Yeah, I've used this compressed graphite for a lot of gaskets, but there are just too many lines for the valve cover. I'm sure if I were more patient, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but... I'm not... so screw it.