3.6 chain cover gasket query

[billjam]

I just received a timing cover gasket set from Pelican and it seems to have two RH gaskets.
Before I query it with Pelican can anyone confirm that the LH and RH gaskets are the same? They have different numbers in PET.
As it happens I only wanted a LH gasket anyway but had to buy the whole stupid $93.50 kit which covers both sides and includes a bazillion o-rings, washers, grommets and gaskets that I don't need.

In the pic below, you can see that both gaskets are round on the side facing up. They are flat on the other side. I would expect the gaskets to fit into the cover with the flat side out ... like the old gasket that is still in the cover.



I would rather refit the cover with the old gasket (which wasn't leaking) than take my chances with a new one that doesn't fit properly in the groove.

[john walker's workshop]

They look wrong, but start by inserting the straight section and just work it around and it fits.

[billjam]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

They look wrong, but start by inserting the straight section and just work it around and it fits.

If I fit the gasket into the cover with the round side in the groove and the flat side out, all the bumps where the gasket goes around the cover bolts don't line up and the gasket won't stay in place.
If I fit the gasket with the flat side in the groove, the overall shape is correct, but it just looks wrong and it doesn't really fit very well.
Does anyone have a 3.6 gasket set on the shelf that they can check to confirm that LH and RH are same or different?

[billjam]

Does anyone have a 3.6 gasket set on the shelf that they can check to confirm that LH and RH are same or different?

[john walker's workshop]

there is only one part number for a timing cover gasket. 964 105 181 01

[billjam]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

there is only one part number for a timing cover gasket. 964 105 181 01

John that is the part number for the LH gasket. The RH gasket in my PET is 964 105 182 00.
Forgive me for doubting you, however I just find it hard to believe that these gaskets, which are molded in the shape of the covers and which have a round side and a flat side, are intended to be used on both covers. The LH and RH covers are slightly different.
If I use one of the two RH gaskets in the set on the LH cover, it will clearly be inside out and won't conform exactly to the curves of the cover. It is flexible enough to follow the curves, but it just doesn't make sense to fit the flat side of the gasket into the groove in the cover. The existing gasket is clearly molded with the flat side out.

My gut feeling is to refit the cover with the original gasket, which was leak-free. I am doing this job (cam timing) with the engine in the car and I really don't want to have to pull out all the rear end stuff again to fix an oil leak.

[john walker's workshop]

Interesting. The Worldpac program only lists one for both. I've always used it on both and no leaks. I know it doesn't follow the curves exactly, but once it's in there it looks fine, because it's just a rubber strip.

[billjam]

OK, OK, I'll use the new gasket ... but it's on your head if it leaks!