2F valve cover gasket cross-section?

[woytovich]

Is it simply an "I" or some sort of "L" or "T"?

 

[DFXR]

Is it simply an "I" or some sort of "L" or "T"?

The one I have in place now is an upside down T, with the vertical part fitting in the groove of the cover and the "top" resting on the engine. It works great but since it came with the truck many years ago I don't know if it's Toyota. I have had it on and off a few times over the years and it has held up well.

However, I ordered a new Toyota gasket recently just to have, and it is neither a T or an L, just an "I" kind of thing, thin enough to push partly up into the groove and have a small amount exposed out to make contact with the top of the engine. Haven't tried it yet.

 

[OSS]

A new one is a rectangle cross section with rounded corners. It smashes into a "T" shape over the years. Drawing below is roughly what the cross section looks like

 

[woytovich]

Thanks all... I ask because the aftermarket one I bought is just an "I"
This makes me wonder if OEM was ever a "T" shape when new....

 

[OSS]

I bought a few Toyota valve cover gaskets over the span of 32 years and the ones I got were always an I shape

 

[woytovich]

Thanks

 

[SteveH]

My '78 valve cover gasket is a 'tee' profile, the later ones are 'U', I think.

 

[Spike Strip]

I just replaced on '85 with a new OE and it's as OSS posted.

Interestingly enough, there are TWO part #s that don't seem to supersede, FAIK

11213-61010 '75 to '80
11213-61011 81-87

I had no idea ... Maybe @beno knows the diff, if any?

 

[Seth S]

What is the gasket material? I have yet to pull mine off. I’ve had other cars with rubber O ring style and some with cork based. The cork with a think smear of loctite 518 worked great.

 

[OSS]

The new Toyota valve cover gasket is black rubber. Like O ring rubber.

Tip when replacing it:
Remove the old one and clean out the groove in the cover. Degrease the groove too. Put a small dab of black RTV at the corners and maybe mid way. Install the gasket and set it gasket down on a flat smooth surface with a weight on top until you think the rtv has cured enough.
Then install the cover.

Without a little adhesive on the gasket, it's really easy for the new gasket to fall out of the groove when fiddling with the cover trying to get it on the head. It usually happens in the rear where you can't see it, then when you clamp down the bolts, the cover pinches the out of place gasket (ruining it) and you find out later will oil dribbling down the engine.

 

[Spike Strip]

The gasket has molded ribs that hold it in place, though I have had it fall out when bumped cuz it can be tricky getting the cover past the heater valve and under the cowl lip.