DeTomaso Mailing List: September 2000, Message #228

Hi!

Some time ago I asked for opinions on using Ultra Copper Gasket Maker instead 
of cam cover gaskets on my old Ferrari, and the consensus was that it should 
be fine.

The only thing I learned was that if you are going to eliminate the gasket, 
and therefore some thickness between the two surfaces, you need to make sure 
that your fasteners will still apply pressure at the new mounting position.  
I initially had a leak from one area which I determined to be due to the fact 
that the mounting studs were bottoming out in the capnuts used to secure the 
cam covers.  Redoing it with another washer between the nut and cover solved 
the problem.

In a Pantera, this would mean making sure that the mounting bolts were not 
going to bottom out in their holes before they could apply pressure to the 
valve cover.  Using shorter bolts would be the cure.

Also, I found that it is best to tighten down the cover until you can see 
some Gasketmaker starting to be pushed out in all areas.  If you just sit it 
on and let the stuff set up in that position, it is possible that you could 
have an area where you put a thinner bead of material than others.  After it 
sets up, you will not be able to tighten the cover down enough to seal that 
area; and you will have a leak.  


Thanks for all your help,

Jim Oddie