Top End Gaskets

[tf95ZR1]

Yesterday I went to the "Plastic Fantastic" Corvette show in San Diego. Lots of cars, but only 3 ZR1's, and one was there just to try and sell. (1990 with about 12K miles asking $39.5K I believe)
Lets all try to participate and keep the Legend alive!
I was talking to someone there and mentioned the plenum and injector housing gaskets. He said it is better to buy the GM gaskets as they have a thickened edge around the ports for better sealing. The other "generics" are flat as if just cut out of a sheet.
Is this true, and does it make a difference?

[tomtom72]

I don't know the answer to the thickness issue but I noticed the obvious visual difference of aftermarket vs GM/parts counter gaskets was the OEM stuff had a blue colored edging....kind of like what I remember from Fel-Pro "perma-torque" series gaskets...yea I'm that old ... I used aftermarket gaskets when I did my injector change out & I don't see where I'm having any sealing issues with the I/H's or the T/B or the plenum...yet...it's been about 3k miles of use since I did the work.

The one thing that struck me when I dis-assembled my top end(less cam covers & heads) was that almost every bolt was loose!?! It was as if no one used a t/Q wrench when it was assembled....as I have no experience with aluminium motors I figure that that is a bad trait...no resistance to thermal cycles between the alum. and the steel bolts or it was just sloppy workmanship.


Tom

[ZR1 MK]

Originally Posted by tf95ZR1

I was talking to someone there and mentioned the plenum and injector housing gaskets. He said it is better to buy the GM gaskets as they have a thickened edge around the ports for better sealing. The other "generics" are flat as if just cut out of a sheet.
Is this true, and does it make a difference?

This is true, but it wont matter. I have used 3 types of gaskets and all work. It doesnt take much for a good seal on the plenum.

[tf95ZR1]

Thank you all for your help (opinions)- this net is great!