Gaskets and Seals

[Sandgrounder]

Hello again Gents, my S3 is currently having a couple of leaks sorted before my wife will permit me to park on the newly refurbished block paving!

I haven't tried 'Gaskets for Classics' yet, but I am assuming they are my best option, unless anyone knows better?? My mechanic has given me a shopping list as follows:

- Inlet Vee block gasket
- Plenum chamber gasket (is this the same as above, but a different name for it?)
- Rocker cover gaskets (found a set of these in my garage!)
- Distributor shaft O-ring

Also, my mechanic has replaced the seal around the Rear Axle Drive Flange (ie. where the prop shaft enters the Diff, however he tells me that there is also a leak from the nut that holds the flange to the diff. Has anyone replaced the washer (presumably with integrated seal) behind this nut? Or will I need to replace the whole rear axle drive flange?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[mep12345]

I've used GfC several times, they are really helpful the V gasket and plenum gasket are not the same as the plenum is 6 separate gaskets that go between the plenum and the inlet manifold on either side of the fuel injection rail. 3 double holes, but above and below, if you understand what I mean. I bought these from GfC earlier this year, iirc the cost was about £22 inc p&p. £12 for the v gasket, £1 for each of the 6 inlet plenum gaskets and the rest as p&p

[tvrgit]

Here's the plenum gaskets (with orange sealer on them in this photo)



The later engines, as Mark says, had 6 of those - 3 as shown, then an alloy fuel rail, then another 3 and then the plenum.

The early engines, like mine (although mine is an S3C!) only only had 3 of those gaskets - the fuel rail was a separate pressing (steel, not alloy) that you can see painted blue, between the inlets in that photo.

(Interesting question - were the plenums therefore different (i.e. lower) to allow for the thickness of the alloy rail, which acted as a spacer and affected the inlet length (not to mention the length of the 6 bolts that hold it down)?

[phillpot]

Sandgrounder said:

- Distributor shaft O-ring

If G for C don't do it they are still available from Ford, F1490140. As an ex-employee (left in about 1974) I managed to haggle some discount and got one for the grand sum of 76p+vat.

Sandgrounder said:

Has anyone replaced the washer (presumably with integrated seal) behind this nut?

There is no seal, it is just a big flat washer. Take it off, clean well and re-fit with a big dollop of "instant gasket" type stuff behind it.

[Sandgrounder]

Fantastic responses, thanks very much all.

I think mine must be an 'early' engine as I have the same steel fuel rail, though mine is rusty and silver, not blue!

[mep12345]

tvrgit said:

Here's the plenum gaskets (with orange sealer on them in this photo)



The later engines, as Mark says, had 6 of those - 3 as shown, then an alloy fuel rail, then another 3 and then the plenum.

The early engines, like mine (although mine is an S3C!) only only had 3 of those gaskets - the fuel rail was a separate pressing (steel, not alloy) that you can see painted blue, between the inlets in that photo.

(Interesting question - were the plenums therefore different (i.e. lower) to allow for the thickness of the alloy rail, which acted as a spacer and affected the inlet length (not to mention the length of the 6 bolts that hold it down)?

Later fuel rail here for comparison

[tvrgit]

Sandgrounder said:

Fantastic responses, thanks very much all.

I think mine must be an 'early' engine as I have the same steel fuel rail, though mine is rusty and silver, not blue!

Yeah mine was rusty and silver a week before that photo was taken!

[Jonesy07]

I've a top end gasket set for the 2.9 engine surplus to requirements if anyone can use it - just need the postage.covered.
Nigel

[greymrj]

You might also try The Gasket Shop advertising on ebay. The link is for a 2.8 head set but they have the 2.9 as well. Excellent next day service.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121198920710?ssPageName=...

[Sandgrounder]

Jonesy07 YHM!

[Sandgrounder]

Finally got car back tonight. According to mechanic, engine is now bone dry and Diff likewise! Had a few other things sorted also.
Thanks again guys for the info and a special thanks to Mike and Nigel for the Dizzy and gaskets.

One thing my mechanic did advise. The top hose needs replacing (Thick one that comes very close to fan belt). Ed China spotted the same issue on the S2 he did up.

Anyone know where I can get one?

Thanks

[phillpot]

Sandgrounder said:

Anyone know where I can get one? Thanks

Ask Ed ?


If you want rubber I'd guess they are long since obsolete, might find something at an Autojumble or an "old School" motor factors with a box of odd ball hoses tucked away somewhere.

Other choice is obviously Silicone, guess someone sells them individually rather than a full set or knock something up from readily available (on Ebay) universal silicone hoses?


That's why my top hose has a join......

[Sandgrounder]

Hi Mike, if Ed China was my next door neighbour, I would probably call round and pick his brain, though from memory, although he highlighted the deep Vee carved into the hose (just like mine), I don't recall him actually replacing it!

Anyway, you have confirmed my thoughts, I can probably create a better clearance by bodging some standard hose parts together, using a join.

Cheers mate

[phillpot]

If the hose is good otherwise why not cut it on the V and put a join in ?

Check size, 32mm is a guess

[ukflyboy]

Hi folks, anyone got a good source of gaskets for the later alloy fuel rail? I bought the 2.9i Payen gasket set (DT510) that came recommended on here but the gasket for the fuel rail doesn't seem to be correct, so presume that is for the older pressed fuel rail?
My fuel rail is in the image above from Mark (MEP).

[Blue 30]

You could try FW Thorntons, they are in Wellington, Shrops.
Google them for contact details.
TerryB.

[TVRees]

ukflyboy said:

Hi folks, anyone got a good source of gaskets for the later alloy fuel rail?

What if you cut your gasket into 3 individual pieces, would it then be OK ?

[greymrj]

another vote for Gaskets for Classics. Good quality and service. Bought a few sets off them.