Cork vs. Fiber

I bought a Fel-Pro Oil Pan Gasket locally for my F-head and it is a fiber type, about 1/16 inch thick. The last one I had purchased about 5 years ago was cork (I think from one of the Jeep suppliers). Which type is better? Will one work as well as the other?

Also, gasket suppliers usually say their gaskets don't need "gasket compound." When it comes to stopping oil leaks on old Jeeps, I guess I am kind of a belt and suspenders guy. Any thoughts on this? What is the best compound to use?

 

Felpro makes quality gaskets. They should be fine. IME cork gaskets dry out in the box and shrink. A composite, rubber or fiber should have superior shelf life.

Lots of opinions on gasket compound. I like the Permatex UltraBlack http://www.permatex.com/products/au..._oil_resistance_rtv_silicone_gasket_maker.htm - I'm sure there are other products that are as good or better.

I would try this too http://www.permatex.com/products/Au...uto_Permatex_the_Right_Stuff_Gasket_Maker.htm based on recommendations.

 

I'm not a real fan of cork gaskets. As Timgr said they have a tendency to distort, shrink, etc. I've also seem them split or crumble as they get older and get hard.
I also use the Ultra black or "The Right Stuff" depending on what's available at the time. Both have worked great for me.

 

On the subject of using sealant. I was always taught that a properly prepped surface and new gasket is all you need. It has been my experience working on older stuff that the mating surfaces are not optimum for just gaskets. Also in some some cases when you use a gasket that has been sitting for a while they can loose there compressibility (the key reason gaskets work). So against my training I use sealants when I feel it is warranted. I hardly ever use a sealant that is high build, I like Loctite 518, permatex high tack.

 

Something like a stamped steel oil pan or valve cover can be distorted by overenthusiastic tightening. It's very common for someone to try and seal a pan leak (or rear main seal leak) by tightening ... typically the pan will then leak more after that. A high-build gasket cement seems appropriate for such an app.