Cork Oil Pan Gasket?

[adrock]

I've got a leaky oil pan on my KA24E, and when I opened the Fel-Pro gasket I bought at the parts store today, I was surprised to see it's cork. I know for most applications they offer rubber gaskets, but when I went to the O'Reilly Auto Parts website I don't even see a rubber offering. I kinda hate cork gaskets- I'd rather use gasket maker and take this one back. Anyone changed theirs before and used a rubber gasket? Where to get one? And no jokes about using rubbers. : ) Thanks.

-adam

[toptechracing]

Cork is ok if installed right. I prefer to just use black RTV on the pan rail. The DE's don't use a gasket at all on the pan rail. If you want a preper gasket get one of the motorsports pan gaskets from your dealer or courtesy. They work really well and you can use them a couple of times if you install them right.

[navysnail]

cork gaskets are fine, just curious, why do you hate cork gaskets?

[adrock]

I'll just use gasket maker. I'm not a fan of cork gaskets because they also require sealant, and they just don't look clean after installation. Those are little things, I know, but I might as well do it the way that I know I'll be happy with. Thanks for the help.

-adam

[navysnail]

i agree, just wondering your take on it. i figure if you have to use the sealant anyways, you might as well save the money and skip the cork, however on some cars, you have to use one, but on ours, you dont need it

[Hijacker]

nissan used gasketmaker form the factory, the service manual states to use gasket maker in repair. deduction: gasket maker is fine.

[Ubernoober]

Cork is nice if the pan was previously overtorqued or somehow damaged. Most people hate cork because they think it leaks. The problem isn't with the cork, but with over-tightening a cork gasket. If your pan rails are straight and flat and mate with the block well, then just use Permatex Ultra Black. It is a premium gasket maker that bonds extremely well to parts. Normal RTV does not bond very effectively to surfaces, particularly if you have even the tinyest amount of oil on them.

[pmkls2]

most of the factory KA24E engines didnt have an oil pan gasket either. If I were you I'd just use a good gasket maker that will bond to an oily surface. You will find that aftermarket gasket companies will make a gasket for a lot of applications that just used sealer from the factory.