Is there such a thing....

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canyncarvr

canyncarvr

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...as a decent 4bbl gasket available these days?

I got a 4-hole 1/2" phenolic 4150 spacer from Holley. The why of that is not pertinent. It came blister-packed on a Holley card with two gaskets. They seem hard and thin to me. Not that this tests anything, but putting the two of them together and squeezing everywhere I can with fingers, I can practically breathe between the two. I'd think they would do better than that. Not exactly a flange width sealing test. :)

I am not a fan of using sealant on fuel gaskets , but I am considering using a very light smear (wipe with a finger) of RTV, or maybe some 3M adhesive (used for body trim attachment) with these gaskets. I might hit the gaskets with a bit of sandpaper, too. There is no 'finish' to 'em. They are just grey gasket stuff.

That they came in a Holley package maybe means they are better than other available junk?

I don't mess with this car much. The carb has been in place since build...probably 15 years. I remember better gaskets commonly available 'way back then'. I am not trying to solve any leak/vacuum/performance problem. Also not looking for some .200" thick gasket meant to address warped stuff. I AM looking for a GOOD 4150 4-hole gasket.

Any points of view having to do with new gaskets and simply bolting on a 4150 would be appreciated.

Thanks, folks!

IMG_1496.JPG
 
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I have a ton of 4 hole gaskets & I use them when I give the carbs back that I've rebuilt. I don't know what troubles you are having, but I've had none, nor my customers.
 
Demonracer said:
I don't know what troubles you are having, but I've had none, nor my customers.
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As said, I have no troubles, I'm not trying to fix anything. A .040" paper gasket with no coating/finish to it at all does not, to me, seem a reasonable gasket to seal almost 6" of flange between mounting studs.

Thanks for the POVs.
 
canyncarvr said:
As said, I have no troubles, I'm not trying to fix anything. A .040" paper gasket with no coating/finish to it at all does not, to me, seem a reasonable gasket to seal almost 6" of flange between mounting studs.

Thanks for the POVs.
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So what are you lookin for? You have the phenolic spacer. That's the insulator. So, all you really need are two sealing gaskets, right? What difference does it make that they are thin as long as they seal? You certainly don't need the thick ones, unless the intake, spacer or carburetor base plate is not true. That phenolic spacer is an insulating mug.
 
RustyRatRod said:
So what are you lookin for? You have the phenolic spacer. That's the insulator. So, all you really need are two sealing gaskets, right?
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Yes.

RustyRatRod said:
What difference does it make that they are thin as long as they seal?
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It makes no difference. If they seal.

That is what I question.

Intake gaskets are not .040" pieces of paper. Why is that? If .040" of paper works so well, why not use that gasket form in that position?

'Thick' is not necessarily better.

I had no intention of starting a 'which oil is better' scratchin' post. Paper gaskets in a carburetor flange position seem unacceptable to me. That they are used 'all the time' and 'everybody likes 'em' doesn't mean anything.

C'est la vie

SUPERFORMANCE gaskets are what you want.
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Thank you. That is the type of information I was looking for. Too bad the outline of their PN-4154 does not follow the outline of every manifold and carburetor made.
 
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canyncarvr said:
Yes.



It makes no difference. If they seal.

That is what I question.

Intake gaskets are not .040" pieces of paper. Why is that? If .040" of paper works so well, why not use that gasket form in that position?

'Thick' is not necessarily better.

I had no intention of starting a 'which oil is better' scratchin' post. Paper gaskets in a carburetor flange position seem unacceptable to me. That they are used 'all the time' and 'everybody likes 'em' doesn't mean anything.

C'est la vie



Thank you. That is the type of information I was looking for. Too bad the outline of their PN-4154 does not follow the outline of every manifold and carburetor made.
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Then just get some high quality ones and be done with it. Here. That's all this company makes is high quality gaskets.

Superformance Products - Performance Automotive Gaskets and Seals
 
I don't see the problem. You are not supposed to "wrench down" the carb. Hold the end of the ratchet as you would a screwdriver and use your fingers to tighten.
 
67Dart273 said:
I don't see the problem. You are not supposed to "wrench down" the carb. Hold the end of the ratchet as you would a screwdriver and use your fingers to tighten.
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I agree with what he's sayin......what you "get" from the parts stores these days, if it's the thin ones, are really shitty. If they get wet, it's over and done.
 
67Dart273 said:
I don't see the problem. You are not supposed to "wrench down" the carb.
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Read, understood, and known.

...what you "get" from the parts stores these days, if it's the thin ones, are really shitty.
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Which was and is my point...which is why I asked the question.

I've seen the 'superformance' catalog and found a place that sells their PN4154. The layout of the piece is poor.

I bought a couple of Mr. Gasket 55's. Description:

Carburetor Mounting Gasket, Cellulose/Nitrile Composition, 4-Barrel, Square Bore, 4-Hole, .063 in. Thick

NOT paper, NOT .040", hopefully NOT shitty.

I did not spend $60 on a Holley branded part and expect to have to replace some included pieces because they were crummy. The studs that came with it aren't any good, either.
 
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