Cars are a big part of every American’s life and, to a smaller degree, those around the world as well. We use them for running the day-to-day errands we need to live comfortably; we use them to travel the country to see our friends and family, as well as discover new places; and we even use them to keep our bank accounts full as we commute to and from work (unless, of course, if you’re a remote worker). And seeing as cars are so important to us—and especially with how expensive it is to own and maintain one—it’s essential that they’re built with parts that were made to last, like our Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets!
There is a lot that goes into the building and maintenance of a vehicle. One look under the hood is more than enough to make most people give up and simply call their go-to auto shop—and we get it, we’re right there with you. However, among the seemingly chaotic arrangement of pipes, belts, motors, and liquid storage lies our favorite thing to talk about: gaskets! And when it comes to the gaskets used in the automotive industry, our crew here at Gorilla Gasket has become an invaluable resource for auto manufacturers and repair shops around the world.
But we don’t need to talk about ourselves just yet. We’re going to use this blog to quickly go over the basics of how cars like yours rely on gaskets like our Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets every time you turn the ignition. So get your mental motor running, and let’s get going!
A Gasket Everywhere You Go
What do you and the likes of Mario Andretti, James Dean, Dale Earnhardt, Ryan Gosling in the movie Drive (not you, Baby Driver—sorry, not sorry), or any of the other car-driving icons out there have in common? You’ve all driven cars that have utilized high-quality gaskets to function not only correctly but also efficiently. Well, there’s probably a lot more than that, but it’s certainly a good start!
Cars have numerous components that require the use of a gasket. And though the size and complexity of these gaskets can vary greatly depending on where they are needed within the vehicle, there are four main types of gaskets that you’re guaranteed to find in your car.
Camshaft Gaskets
A camshaft is an essential component of any piston engine and mechanically controlled ignition system. The camshaft gaskets in your vehicle work to prevent any oil from leaking out of the camshaft before, during, and after use. As with any other engine gasket, it prevents dust, dirt, and other debris from sneaking into the engine.
Intake Manifold Gaskets
Your engine’s intake manifold gasket is meant to ensure that it is receiving an adequate level of fluid and air. This can be a tougher task than it initially seems, as the temperatures this gasket operates under can be intense, and as such, will require a top-of-the-line Gorilla Gasket Viton Gasket to ensure there are no troubles with your engine.
Head Gaskets
Just like the extreme heat the gaskets in your vehicle need to endure, there can also be an immense level of pressure that they will need to stay strong against. This is especially true with the head gasket in your engine, which serves to build and maintain the appropriate amount of compression required to sustain power and motion.
Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
The exhaust manifold gasket is another essential piece of your vehicle’s engine that could use the strength and durability of our Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets. This gasket —when functioning properly—ensures that the connection between the cylinder head and exhaust manifold is sealed tight, allowing for the harmful fumes your engine creates to be efficiently and safely transferred through the catalytic converter and out through the tailpipe.
Why Use Viton Gaskets in Cars?
Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets are made from a fluoroelastomer material called Fluorine Kautschuk Material—or, more simply, FKM. FKM is the perfect rubber-adjacent material for automotive gaskets like those found in your vehicles at home. Not only are Viton gaskets super durable in general and tough against chemical damage, but they can also survive well in a wide range of temperatures (-40°F all the way up to 500°F) and pressure extremes.
This alone has made FKM the gasket material of choice for countless automotive businesses and is most certainly one of our favorites to work with.
The Four Major Grades of Viton Gaskets
It also needs to be mentioned that FKM material isn’t one simple type of rubber-like material that is used for our Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets—it’s a wide range of materials that encompass a gradient of fluoroelastomer levels and qualities. And depending on what kind of FKM your automotive gaskets are, they can perform better or worse.
The main four are as follows:
- Viton A — Viton A is one of the best grades for vehicle gaskets that need to fare well under massive pressure and low temperatures.
- Viton B — Viton B is the most well-rounded and versatile of the grades, carrying with it a great all-around strength against high pressures, extreme temperatures, and harsh chemicals.
- Viton F — What Viton F lacks in temperature resistance (especially on the low end), it fully makes up for as one of the best grades in terms of harsh chemical and fluid resistance (think motor oil and gasoline).
- Viton ETP — Like Viton B, Viton ETP is excellent in all departments, but thanks to its unique chemical composition, it can provide an even stronger level of protection in rough, demanding environments.
Gear-Heads and Gasket-Heads of the World—Unite!
Like salt and pepper, vanilla ice cream and hot fudge, or someone speeding past you and then getting caught at the same red light just up ahead, cars and gaskets make for a perfect combination. And when it comes to the health of your vehicle and your safety while driving, building, or maintaining any of our automotive components, our Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets are the best way to go.
We can custom design and cut a unique set of Gorilla Gasket Viton Gaskets to your exact specifications for whatever your business or project may be. Plus, we take orders from around the world, so no matter where you are, there is a top-of-the-line Gorilla Gasket Viton Gasket waiting for you.
If you’d like to get a quote for a custom gasket order, you can do so by simply giving us a call or filling out our convenient quote form. Please also feel free to browse our selection of premade designs right here on our website!