Cork or Rubber?

[RadfordJim]

After 1000 miles the rebuilt engine is running nicely but I want to re-torque the cylinder heads. Workshop Manual states 40-45 lbs.ft. Is this correct?

I'll probably have to replace the rocker cover gaskets and there are a few available on eBay, but which is best?
Cork at £5 - £6 pair
H/D reusable? cork at £12 pair
Rubber at £32.50 pair
All plus P&P
Or would BT be best option?

[A.N.Other]

I always found the cork ones tend to move and then leak slightly. The silicone rubber ones were my preferred option but I stuck them to the covers and put grease on the underside or non setting sealer.
I Generally found Barry to be the preferred option. People look at eBay and take it as gospel they are getting the best deal, not always the case. With Barry the advice and stuff he has is tried and tested.
Some people have gone down the route of milling a gutter around the face of the cover then glueing "0" ring rubber in it to make a permanent easy solution.

[simonp]

I agree with Col! Barry has been a life saver many times and recently when I borrowed the hub puller.

SimonP

[smithgor]

I bought my Dart with 400miles on the clock since Russ Carpenter had rebuilt the engine. I asked him if I needed to re-torque the heads and was told these engines use a corrugated steel gasket which does not need re-torqueing . The re-torque only applies to composition gaskets which shrink with heating and cooling.
May save you a job there!

[Vortex O'Plinth]

I checked my Russ Carpenter rebuilt engine after 1000 miles and with the correct torque applied none of the nuts moved. However all the valve clearances had closed up significantly - by 5 thou in some cases. Resetting all those certainly livened the engine up considerably.

Incidentally I used new cork rocker gaskets bonded to the covers with PU adhesive as recommended by Russ. No leaks after another 2000 miles.