If you don't know cork is tree bark! Not a good sealing material. I avoid it at all costs!
How long has cork been used in engine gaskets?
Can you say FOREVER
I love getting older transmission to rebuild that have cork pan gaskets on them.
The whole outside of many of them are like brand new - from being covered with trans fluid.
And let’s not forget the leaking cork valve cover gaskets too.
Seriously though, if maintained they are cheap and practical. That means keeping the bolts snugged up and using a flat pan with the rubber coating.
Probably 90% of the leakers I see have bell mouthed pan rails and plain old cork gaskets.
One of the biggest non-functional warranty items we had at Chrysler was leaking trans pans.
When they went to the plastic backbone gasket our leak warranty dried up. Pun intended.
