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GeoffC
V4 Mad

United Kingdom
507 Posts

Posted - 01 May 2018 :  10:48:34 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I know this has been discussed before but what is the consensus on where to get a good quality gasket set from these days? I re-built my V4 several years ago using a combination of an old Paynes gasket set and anything I could get hold of. It now leaks oil like a sieve and as I am having my gearbox refurbished and it all has to come out I will be stripping it down and rebuilding again, but would like it to last oil tight for longer this time. I built a rally engine back in the early '80's and it never leaked oil and to my knowledge is still running (or was when the car was seen last a couple of years ago!). I'm told that general quality of gaskets for the V4 has gone down with cheap manufacturers getting into the market so wondered if anybody has experience of ones that last these days? I don't like using copious quantities of silicon or plastic gasket as bits can end up blocking oil ways etc so usually rely on a decent gasket material and a smear of Hymolar.

So any suggestions welcomed - it's such a pain to take the Sonett's front end off I don't want to be doing it again in 2 or 3 years time!

v4admin
Forum Admin

United Kingdom
519 Posts

Posted - 01 May 2018 :  19:09:36 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I am also looking as I rebuilt mine a couple of years back and it is leaking. I used a modern gasket sealer as well but wish I had stuck to red hermetite now...
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 01 May 2018 :  21:58:57 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I've never had issues with Payen gaskets. I find gasket sets from Gaskets for Classics (eBay) are the best you can get at the moment, earlier discussed here: http://www.saab-v4.co.uk/speedball/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3668&SearchTerms=Gaskets+for+Classics

www.saabv4.com
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 02 May 2018 :  13:30:31 Show Profile Reply with Quote
In case it helps I fitted some reusable silicone rubber gaskets to my rocker covers years ago and have not regretted it.
I got them from realgaskets.com
I know the cork ones are OK if the gasket surface is flat and if the bolts have the spreader washers and are not overtightened etc...etc...
But in my opinion the silicone rubber is just more capable.
Just my experience.
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Borstlap
V4 Fanatic

Norway
333 Posts

Posted - 02 May 2018 :  16:29:20 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Geoff, which gasket do you mean, the oil pan gasket I presume considering you are mentioning having to take the nose off?

Alex
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GeoffC
V4 Mad

United Kingdom
507 Posts

Posted - 02 May 2018 :  22:27:13 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks for the comments I'll try Gaskets for Classics. The silicon rocker cover gaskets sound good and I may try the spreader plates as they should help. The engine is leaking everywhere except the head gaskets but the sump gasket is a problem as my sump has been knocked about by the previous owner so the flanges are probably not flat. I was given a spare scrapped engine but when I cleaned out the sump pan it had a rusted out bottom so of no use!
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andydeans3
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1994 Posts

Posted - 03 May 2018 :  18:33:51 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I can certainly vouch for the silicon gaskets on the rocker covers. I also got them from the Real Gasket Company in Tennessee. I also have alloys rockers covers from Redmond Metal Casting, in Ireland, which help the sealing process because the alloy rockers covers are rigid.
Their website is here... http://jrcast.com/?page_id=235.
Brilliant, just wash the silicon gaskets in soapy water, and use them again.

For gaskets in general, I've always gotten mine from Malbrad.

1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro

Edited by - andydeans3 on 03 May 2018 23:18:09
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GeoffC
V4 Mad

United Kingdom
507 Posts

Posted - 03 May 2018 :  21:00:35 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I do like those rocker covers!
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andydeans3
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1994 Posts

Posted - 03 May 2018 :  23:16:20 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Geoff.
Yep, they look great.

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1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro
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GeoffC
V4 Mad

United Kingdom
507 Posts

Posted - 04 May 2018 :  16:58:16 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Looks really good Andy, I must get some. What breather pipe size did you specify? I'll be fitting the Weber 32/36 I have had on my shelf for about a year so will be getting a new air filter so will have to replace my existing breather system anyway but would be useful to know what size the std pipes are.
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andydeans3
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1994 Posts

Posted - 04 May 2018 :  23:15:53 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Geoff
My car is now fitted with a new Twin choke Weber, with K&N Filter, not the standard filter shown in the photo.
The JB Casting rocker cover have a port for the crankcase breather, which takes, I think, a standard rubber pipe. I'll take some photos, and measurements the morn, and post the info.


1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 05 May 2018 :  21:18:58 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Standard breather pipe is 1/2".

www.saabv4.com
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greg124
V4 Fan

United Kingdom
173 Posts

Posted - 05 May 2018 :  21:19:40 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Ooooh! That's something else just been added to my wish list. Think I'll go for black though
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 06 May 2018 :  15:12:39 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Andy, what's going on with all the stuff on the HT leads?

www.saabv4.com
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andydeans3
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1994 Posts

Posted - 06 May 2018 :  23:59:09 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Melle
No idea really....
That was the set up when I got the car, but I've replaced all the HT leads long time ago.

Andy

1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro
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chris steeden
V4 Fan

United Kingdom
163 Posts

Posted - 07 May 2018 :  16:45:46 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I would suggest that it is meant to stop chafing and thus arcing between leads but I fail to see why there would be some near the dizzy unless the previous owner noticed an arc.
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