Hopefully this thread won't incite a riot but... I know a lot of you guys are sold on Cometic gaskets and that's fine. I've noticed some OEM gaskets look to be made the same (trans top and side cover, rocker lowers, SE head gaskets).

My question is - they offer a metal/foam primary gasket for about 2 1/2 times the price of others and also that type for the nose cone and maybe other places. So what is the selling point of the foam sandwiched metal? Is it reusable or something?

Thanks

 

They dont leak...I have reused the primary gasket before on my bike actually more than once,but its not recommend...But back when my bike still had the shovel in it,i tried everything,james,GB,etc..Even tried doubling the gaskets with silicone and the primary still leaked.Installed the cometic and no more problems.Ive honestley had no issues with cometic est gaskets,ever.

 

I'm using them on my cam cover and primary. So far, so good no leaks and I did reuse the primary once already.

 

mls cometic gaskets don't leak, period.. another plus to the mls is that it will help with warped or poorly machined surfaces, i pay the extra money, I only wanna do the job once.

 

Cometic everything on my bike without issue. Check out Jireh for killer prices, if they have what you need in stock. I think the biggest reason for all of the leaky primaries in the HD world is that lots of people overtorque them and warp the hell out of them, especially the Derby cover. Once they get warped you're always going to be fighting leaks. I've used James sucessfully, too.

 

Reason I asked, The trans top and side cover OEM are foam/metal. I bought a cheap, no-name complete engine set 2 years ago that literally covers 84 thru 99, oil pump changes and all. It was only 55.00 and shrink wrapped to a cardboard that fits my TourPak perfectly and takes up no room. Granted the head gaskets are junk (the blue teflon ones) and I wouldn't use profile metal on a base at all but everything else looked ok. I needed to rob a nose cone gasket out and it was the foam/metal. Used it last week and was going to reuse it if they don't fall apart. I swapped cams again today and it looked good and I went back with it. If it leaks, I'm gonna hunt up everyone one of ya who said they won't leak on a re-use. ha-ha, just kidding.

Thanks for your time guys...

 

The gasket is thicker and makes up for any low/high spots - warping on the gasket surface and gves it a very good seal!

 

Made setting up the endplay on the cam easier I'll bet too!