Valve and timing cover gaskets question

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxx>]

Have been chasing World's Most Persistent Vacuum Leak ever since car
purchased. Isn't in any of the usual places. Then message #32899 got
me thinking -- sprayed valves covers. Both are leaking, badly. Not a
drop of oil, but boy do they suck in the carb cleaner (or brake
cleaner if that's all you've got. Mmmm, smells so good).

Covers are leaking on all 8 sides. Timing cover may also be leaking,
but is hard to tell from where I was spraying (could be false reading
from valve cover overlap). Will buy micro size extension hose and
fresh can of carb cleaner tomorrow to better test tomorrow.

If my R30 re-engine has valve and timing cover gaskets, they must be
paper thin, and apparently work just as well. Is this standard
material? Don't want to order replacements and get paper in the mail.

What material are vendor gaskets made of? Am not a big fan of cork,
but would take it over paper. Has anyone found source of THICK valve
and timing cover gaskets?

Bill Robertson
#5939