I would not recommend a paper gasket. After the cover has been bent by rocks and hammered straight a few times, how well is that going to seal? I have never used a paper gasket. Always use rtv because that is what it came from the factory with. But why would you want to use something that, as you say, is only as good as the person installing? Why not use something that will for sure not leak, even is the sealing surface is not perfect?

 

So craftsmen use RTV?

I was building motors before RTV was invented and most folks could spell it.

My junk didn't leak.

 

If you have issues with deformed covers I would suggest investing in a heavier aftermarket cover. As far as the rtv vs gasket goes its personal preference, just like anything else. My main point is paper gaskets don't suck. They have been used successfully for many years. Each method has its own pros and cons.

 

 

I'm still stuck on the craftsmen thing. Help me out here.

 

Amish mechanics? IDK...

 

Maybe craftsman is the wrong word. There are mechanics who work on automobiles for a living. There are Mechanics who take pride and ownership of whatever they are working on wether it belongs to them or a client. They don't cut corners and they work in a certain manner.

 

That's ^^ my answer? I want to know about East Bay RTV slinging stuff.

I wanna know why when I lived in San Jose I rebuilt a Nissan Patrol motor with factory cork gaskets using chassis grease on 'em that it didn't ever leak. What was I missing, yo?

 

Any professional mechanic I've ever heard of, works on each car as if it were his own. Professional mechanics don't cut corners, shadetree mechanics do. Otherwise they wouldn't be employed very long...

 

Because there are a select few who know what they are doing and know when to put down the tube of RTV. No RTV worship here.

 

LOL

 

Like the episode of Seinfield when Tony stole Jerrys Saab? Gotcha.

 

Boy, do I wish that were true!



The word, "professional", just means they make their living at it. That's all.

Most mechanics who are making a living at it don't live up to the standard you described.

 

Maybe I should have worded that differently. More like the mechanics I know...but I don't surround myself with idiots, either. Yes there are bad mechanics out there. My point is, they don't last at reputable shops for any length of time.

 

Ye Ol' Cherokee, did you get you service done or get discouraged by all the bickering?