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[amba]

This morning I got around to replacing both failed camcover gaskets on my newly acquired 3.2 and discovered the original gaskets were different from those I have just bought from VX.

Gaskets removed were jointed with a thin section of rubber in effect making it a single gasket with part number GM 55351456 GREINER 2 allowing them to be assembled in 1 peice .The new VX gaskets were the correct part number as per guide being a pair per side.

Curious to know if these single gaskets were used in the factory on manufacture therefore meaning these gaskets are the cars original of some 10 years old.

Secondly whilst this is less issue when I removed plugs they were Bosch 4 electrodes although I have fitted 2 electrode type on reassembly.

Could these 4 electrode type also be from original manufacture as cant find any history of them being changed either.

[Andy B]

This morning I got around to replacing both failed camcover gaskets on my newly acquired 3.2 and discovered the original gaskets were different from those I have just bought from VX.

Gaskets removed were jointed with a thin section of rubber in effect making it a single gasket with part number GM 55351456 GREINER 2 allowing them to be assembled in 1 peice .The new VX gaskets were the correct part number as per guide being a pair per side.

Curious to know if these single gaskets were used in the factory on manufacture therefore meaning these gaskets are the cars original of some 10 years old.

Secondly whilst this is less issue when I removed plugs they were Bosch 4 electrodes although I have fitted 2 electrode type on reassembly.

Could these 4 electrode type also be from original manufacture as cant find any history of them being changed either.

You have effectively been sold the wrong gaskets, later 3.2/2.6 engine's cam covers would have been fitted with the single gasket ...... but what you've fitted will be more than OK.

Again, the plugs that would have been fitted from new, would have been the quad tipped plugs, but as they're Bosch, they're not he original plugs. OE plugs have GM on them. You've fitted twins, which means that they would be changed at 40k miles instead of the quoted 80k of the quads ..... but I'm sure you'll be looking at your plugs sooner than that anyway. 

[amba]

Cheers Andy for words of reassurance. ..didn,t want to think I had sepnt the morning and best part of £100 putting in the wrong parts.

Gaskets have all been fitted/sealed and torqued up correctly so am hoping they will remain oil tight now for the foreseable future.

Plugs will get replaced along with my normal servicing schedule around 30/35k, so it was only a longer service interval that GM changed to a 4 electrode

[Andy B]

... so it was only a longer service interval that GM changed to a 4 electrode

Yes!   

[tunnie]

As above nothing wrong with twins, there is the thought here that quads shield the spark more, making twins better 

As long as the black sealant was used and torqued up, be good to go. Keep up with oil changes and all will be fine. 

[amba]

Have done the camcover seals before on my 2.5 so must have had a "flash back" to the parts required for that and just merrily ordered them not realising seals and plugs would differ.

Thanks guys for words of reassurance as don,t want to take it apart now as all nicely sealed/cleaned and most importantly torqued correctly including the plugs.

Fingers crossed for a dry morning then can get the plenum cleaned along with the breathers then all back .

Then its brakes/rear donuts and sort out the windescreen seal....then can enjoy driving it

[Big_Al]

When are gonna see this "new " one of yours  then Amba ?   

cannot recall you posting any pics of it 

[amba]

Al.

Its a work in progress at the moment 

Been looking for sometime for a worth successor for my original trusty Elite and found this Black 3.2 Elite on a 53 plate at a price "it would have been rude not to buy",but being me I still managed to drop the price abit further .

To be truthfull it is a little rough around the edges and required some spanner work but getting there slowly..as time is always against me but the mechanical side is now on the homeward straight.

Needs a bit of paintwork done on both bumpers and sunroof surround then I think it will be as close to showroom spec as I can get it.

Pictures will follow when she is worthy of them 

[Big_Al]

Al.

Its a work in progress at the moment 

Been looking for sometime for a worth successor for my original trusty Elite and found this Black 3.2 Elite on a 53 plate at a price "it would have been rude not to buy",but being me I still managed to drop the price abit further .

To be truthfull it is a little rough around the edges and required some spanner work but getting there slowly..as time is always against me but the mechanical side is now on the homeward straight.

Needs a bit of paintwork done on both bumpers and sunroof surround then I think it will be as close to showroom spec as I can get it.

Pictures will follow when she is worthy of them 

Ok . . i'll keep a look out then         .  BTW  . .  is it not about time we had a get together at "The Jungle" ?

[robson]

I was told by my local gm dealer that on my 2.6 2003 that at a certain engine no. the gasket was changed from a double gasket to two singles something about the doubleseal having the extra jointing piece to seal part of the cover.

[amba]

I had a close look at the covers and whilst there is a ridge which allows for the joining section of gasket it didnt seem to have any bearing on its ability to keep oil at bay

Imaging it was GM fancy way of just getting another part number onto their system and allowed for easier stock

Can't see any other reason unless I am totally wrong

[VXL V6]

The joint isn't about keeping oil at bay, it's for stopping water ingress into the plug well from the scuttle.

[amba]

So it is essential that the correct cam seals are used on the newer type covers.

As I now don,t intend removing the coversI will just need to ensure the scuttle and wiper spindles are totally sealed.

Fingers crossed

[Nick W]

When are gonna see this "new " one of yours  then Amba ?   

cannot recall you posting any pics of it 

It looks good. Nice to see a facelift that isn't silver!

[amba]

Thanks for vote of confidence NickW.

Will hope to get it looking as it should be in a few weeks.....weather allowing