TR2/3/3A TR3a valve cover gasket - checking clearances

[Anthony_S]

I know this might be a silly post but I was wondering if anyone knows if you can get a valve cover gasket from your local auto parts store? Is it a standard size thing or do I have to order it online? I was hoping to not have to order it. I wanted to check my tappet clearances and what not this weekend but don't want to remove the cover unless I have a new seal. Any thoughts are welcome Thoughts on checking the clearances are also good as I have not done this before. Read about it in the manual though and it seems pretty easy.

Thanks!

 

[Darrell_Walker]

Unless your have a specialty auto parts store, I doubt you will find the valve cover gasket.

I check Napa's online store, and while they list a few parts that will fit the wet liner engine, a valve cover gasket isn't one of them.

BTW, there are some options for a silicone gasket:

https://www.jmwagnersales.com/T4SiliconeGasket.htm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-TR2-TR3-TR4-Silicone-Valve-Cover-Gasket-/130366231441

I have the second type, as I have an alloy cover.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Well, another option is to buy a sheet of cork gasket material and make your own. Not too hard to do.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[martx-5]

For future reference, I've always installed the original style cork gasket buy gluing it on the valve cover side using 3M weather strip adhesive. After it dries, I spread some heavy grease on the cork and install. I don't have any leaks, and the gasket will always come off, intact, with the cover. It can be removed many times and used again. Just smear a new layer of grease on the cork.

 

[PeterK]

I know this might be a silly post but I was wondering if anyone knows if you can get a valve cover gasket from your local auto parts store?

Did you ask at your local auto parts store?

Have you removed the cover and checked to see if the gasket is intact and reuseable?

 

[Anthony_S]

I did ask the advanced auto in town with no luck but thought maybe someone here might know a bit more and no I have not removed it because I don't want to remove it unless I have one to replace it in case the other isn't reusable and intact.

 

[TR3driver]

For future reference, I've always installed the original style cork gasket buy gluing it on the valve cover side using 3M weather strip adhesive. After it dries, I spread some heavy grease on the cork and install.

I used to do the same thing, except I used RTV "form a gasket" to glue the cork to the cover and laid it gasket side down on a flat surface while the RTV hardened. That helps make up for any irregularities in the original cover.

But now I use one of Justin's "forever" gaskets. I've lost track of how long, or how many times it's been on and off (I even moved it from the wrecked TR3A to the current TR3) and it works great.

 

[DanB]

Anthony, what you can do is to remove the two nuts and see if you can move the cover any at all by hand. If you can, it probably isn't glued down, so the last owner may have used a trick similar to Art's. Take a razor blade to help remove it from the head surface and keep it intact and attached to the valve cover.
Are you going to use feeler guages to adjust the valves? There is also a tool that will do it by clicks. I don't have one but have borrowed one before. Generally I use the feeler guage though.

Dan B.
So. Chas. WV
66 TR4AIRS EFI
80 TR7 DHC

 

[Anthony_S]

Thanks for the tip, I planned on using the feeler gauge method. I also learned about the rule of 9's