Valve Cover Gasket - Not Fitting?

Hey All,

I'm finally trying to finish up a 1984 XJ full engine rebuild.

Everything went pretty smoothly, until I tried to put the valve cover gasket on so I could test fire the motor.

It looks like the gasket I have isn't exactly a match, it's 99% close, I probably could make it fit, except for the below sections. On both the intake and exhaust, the side opposite the large camshaft plugs, this gasket dimension just isn't correct against the metal cover. (See the mis-alignment of the squiggle grooves? The straight section is ¼" too long before the squiggles, and even the squiggles aren't exactly the same shape, leaving the gasket to pop out constantly and impossible to stay in place when trying to bolt the valve cover down)

Has anyone else had this issue? I've thought about slicing a piece out of the gasket and siliconing the two ends to together, but there are a couple other parts that this gasket is just a touch off.

This was bought as part of a engine rebuilt set from XJ4ever, and I had no issues with any of the other pieces.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

 

In general, these can be a bear to get installed on a good day. Using the high-tack to hold it in place is almost a requirement.

As for your specific situation, I would check with @chacal. There is a small chance that something is buggered, but there is about 100% chance that he will make it right if it is.

 

Thanks Dan, Its been like two years since I bought the gasket, so thanks for reminding me of his user name, I'll see if I can't get in touch directly with him!

 

I did the hi-tack thing to hold my OEM gasket in place and everything went together well but do make sure the groove is absolutly clean of anything and everything otherwise it will weep oil as I've found out, all it takes is on small sliver of leftover RTV or whatever was used before to make a mess of your engine.

Chacal will take care of you as he's a man of his word.

 

That appears to be the wrong gasket to me.

 

I got it to work with some hi-tack glue. I got it seated in, but was a struggle for sure. We will see if there are any leaks when I finally get the carbs done and the engine running again.

 

Just to add to this, I know you got it on, I find that warming the rubber up some helps make it more pliable.

 

I love the smell of boiled rubber in the morning.