Rejuvenating Cork Gaskets

Anyone out there know of a method of rejuvenating dried shrunk cork gaskets. I have some cork gaskets for a poly hemi that have shrunk over time and no longer will fit the valve covers.

 

Are those hard to find? If not, just get new ones or make your own.

 

You could try soaking them in hot water overnight. Sometimes they come back. Once they soften up they are good as new.

 

Thanks Rusty, I have them soaking in tap water now. Maybe I will have some success. The only pan I had large enough to soak them in was the lid of a plastic garbage can. I may try some heated water as you suggest. Thanks again.

 

Put them in the bathtub overnight with enough water to cover.

.bjb

 

Polyhemi?

 

gimpyshotrods: Here is a link re: the poly engines. http://www.allpar.com/mopar/poly.html

 

Hot water did the trick. Thanks for the help...

 

Imagine that...

 

After some time in the bath tub, I like to glue the gaskets to the rocker cover, then spray the exposed side with WD 40, twice. They can be reused for years if not overtightened.

 

Good tip. I stick them to the valve cover with silicone seal then press the valve cover on a flat surface like a piece of plate glass until it hardens. This gives a perfectly flat surface to seal.

If you put a thin coating of grease or oil on the exposed side of the gasket it will not stick to the head.