C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

[Richard S.]

Looking for a good source for engine gaskets and material type for my 63 340 HP car. Suggestions appreciated.
Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Looking for a good source for engine gaskets and material type for my 63 340 HP car. Suggestions appreciated.
Rich

Rich------


Do you want "correct" gaskets or the best gaskets? The two are not necessarily the same.

[Ray K.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Rich,

Original gaskets consisted of ( 2 ) steel shim gaskets per head. Do you intend to pursue the original makeup or are you considering a composition type gasket.

Ray

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Thanks Ray. I am waiting to see if Joe can provide me details on both types and then try to make up my mind.
Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Thanks Ray. I am waiting to see if Joe can provide me details on both types and then try to make up my mind.
Rich

Rich------

valve cover gaskets:

most correct: Dr. Rebuild, genuine cork, "4 hole".

most durable and best sealing: Fel-Pro Cork Lam #1604

head gaskets:

most correct: NOS GM #3830711 or Fel-Pro 7733SH1 steel shim type gaskets

best: Fel-Pro Permatorque #1004

(note: multi-layer steel (MLS) gaskets are actually the best but require block and head surface finish which are difficult to achieve)

intake gaskets:

most correct and best: NOS GM #3931600, GM #3734115 or Paragon Reproduction. These are embossed-type gaskets.

timing cover:

most correct: NOS GM #3799660

best: GM #12369488 or Fel-Pro TCS51241

oil pan:

most correct: NOS GM #3818868 or GM #14079400

best: Fel-Pro OS34509T (blue) or Mahle OS 32458 (black) these are one piece type gaskets

thermostat gasket:

most correct: NOS GM #3701777

best: GM #10105135

rear main seal:

best: GM #10243247 or Fel-Pro #2912

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Joe
Thank you very much for all of that information. I do not know how you accumulated all of that data but I am glad that there is someone like yourself that maintains the detailed history of these old engines.
Again, thank you
Rich

[Larry C.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Joe,

Would your recommendations above equally apply to the 1962 340 engine? if not, where are the differences?

Thanks, Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Joe,

Would your recommendations above equally apply to the 1962 340 engine? if not, where are the differences?

Thanks, Larry

Larry------


Everything I mentioned would remain the same for 1963.

By the way, I should have mentioned something regarding the oil pan gasket. The recommendations I made only apply if the engine has an original oil pan or a pre-1976 GM replacement oil pan which is identical to the original. If the oil pan happens to be a post-1976 GM replacement oil pan (which is identical to the original except for the front gasket radius), then a different gasket or gasket set is required.

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Joe
My pan is original so I am good with the part numbers you provided.
Thanks again
Rich

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

for the 3818868 oil pan gasket do you know if it includes exhaust manifold to exhaust pipe gaskets and donuts...the reason I ask is that a guy on ebay is selling this and shows the exhaust parts as included. If the part number covers lower horsepower engines then his listing is bogus...if not I may buy one believing the exhaust parts are for 2 1/2 inch.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

for the 3818868 oil pan gasket do you know if it includes exhaust manifold to exhaust pipe gaskets and donuts...the reason I ask is that a guy on ebay is selling this and shows the exhaust parts as included. If the part number covers lower horsepower engines then his listing is bogus...if not I may buy one believing the exhaust parts are for 2 1/2 inch.

Larry------


The GM #3818868 gasket set was cataloged for all 1957-63 small blocks, Corvette and otherwise. It did contain exhaust packings ("donuts") for 2" exhaust. If the gasket set was to be used for high/special hi-performance models, then GM instructed that GM #3767556 (2-1/2") packings be obtained and used. I do not think that the gasket set contained the triangular exhaust gasket.

[James W.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Joe,

Same question on engine gaskets but for a 1965, L79 327/350?

Thanks,

James

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 340HP Engine Gaskets

Joe,

Same question on engine gaskets but for a 1965, L79 327/350?

Thanks,

James

James------


The same gasket set mentioned above, GM #3818868, was the gasket set originally cataloged for all 1965 Corvettes with small block. Of course, there were other sets supercessive to that which followed over the years. The first supercession was in March, 1966 to GM #3888084. The latter also was supplied with packings ("donuts") for 2" exhaust and required the separate purchase of the 2-1/2" packings for cars so-equipped.