FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Ladies and gents,

It's gotten round to that time again. I did a batch of the gaskets a while back, and kept about a dozen for my own stash. Over time I've helped people out who didn't order (I'm a sucker for a grey motor rebuild story), and now have no gaskets left in my own stash (other than the 3 I still owe Dave).

It seems that there is still some demand from people wanting the cylinder head gaskets, so I will do another round (I've had more than 300 made so far). Same deal as the last three times, and pricing will be similar (the numbers below were from last time, and may change slightly):

a) Gasket: $43 per gasket (or whatever AA Gaskets quotes me).
b) Packaging (7mm ply, wrapped in tape, instructions stashed inside): $3 regardless of the number of gaskets ordered.
c) Postage: $25 regardless of the number of gaskets ordered (yes, your postage might be slightly less... you still pay $25. Trying to manage many, many individual postage costs is beyond my attention span).

So if you want one gasket, you owe me $71.
If you want two gaskets, you owe me $114.
If you want three gaskets, you owe me $157
If you want four gaskets, you owe me $200
If you want five gaskets, you owe me $243
If you want six gaskets, you owe me $286

Rough timing for the process:
a) I'll collect expressions of interest from these forum posts. I need at least 50 nominations to make a gasket run. Not sure how long it will take to get 50 nominations - please be patient. I don't make a red cent out of these gaskets, and I have more than enough grey motored projects that are lagging behind. My mental picture is that it might be May or so of next year before you get your gasket
b) Once we have 50 nominations, for those who express an interest, you get a month to pony up the funds to me. There is always one or two people who don't bother paying, which I guess is human nature.
c) I'll place the order, and AA Gaskets will let us know the timing. Stupid me normally pays AA Gaskets as soon as we have the 50 people (to make the process faster), so anyone who doesn't pay is at my risk.
d) When the gaskets arrive, I'll parcel them up in plywood (like last time) and send them to you. Note that it is cheaper if you combine postage with a few mates, or as a Club.

Cheers,
Harv (deputy apprentice gasket scraper).

Hi Harv, put me down for two.

Thanks
Doug

Hi Harv,
Can you put the VIC FE FC Club down for 10.
If you get close but can't get over the line to 50 we might be able order some more....

Cheers,
TrevorB

Hi Harv,
Please increase the VIC FE FC Club's order to 15.
Thanks
TrevorB

Hi Harv... ill  take 2 please. :)

Hi Mate Can you put me down for 3 please
Thanks Aussie

Hi Harv,
Your pricing is pretty darn good at $46 + Postage even if purchasing only 1 that means $71 posted.

Repco is selling a Permaseal AD880 standard head gasket for $115 (+postage) see https://www.repco.com.au/en/parts-service/car-engine-parts/gaskets/permaseal-cylinder-head-gasket-ad880/p/A9686897?kwSearch=ad880 ($2)

Thanks for your efforts looking after us Grey motor owners  :)

Cheers,
TrevorB

The ownership of Repco has changed , it is no longer the great Aussie company it was ..I got my gasket set from the engine reconditioner I use , put the cylinder head gasket aside and used Harvs ..best way for me ..Vern ..

One week in, 29 orders so far. Will likely need 50 to make a production run.

Cheers,
Harv

Hi Harv,
Please increase the order for the VIC FE FC Club to 20 after our meeting last night  :)
Cheers,
Trevor_B

Post Christmas update. We are now over the 50 mark, so should be able to place an order with AA Gaskets.

To finalise this up, I am going to set a deadline: need any more orders in place prior to the end of January please. I will then use that number to make the order.

Cheers,
Harv

Hi Harv, do you need any payment upfront? If so please provide payment details.

Regards
Doug

Slight hiccup with the gaskets.

With the nominations now closed, I got hold of AA Gaskets to place the order. Unfortunately, AA Gaskets has ceased manufacturing about 18 months ago and sold off all their gear. I still own the tooling, and they were a little surprised that no one had contacted me to send the tooling to me. They are now trying to locate the gear.

Looks like I need to find a new manufacturer. Have opened conversations with a number of locals, and it is looking good so far. Will send a sample to one of them when I get home, and keep you all in the loop as we go. This may change pricing, so will let you know and can understand if the new pricing is not OK for you (no idea yet if it will be more or less expensive).

Apologies for the delay.

Cheers,
Harv

Thanks for your efforts Harv, it is appreciated.

Don't think the cost is that critical  :)

Harv ..have you got Swanston's at Hornsby on your list of potential manufacturers ?....Vern ..

Yep, called Swansons first. They are not able to do them in anything other than copper. Really nice people though.

Cheers,
Harv

Update. Have found a manufacturer willing to make the gaskets.

Indicative pricing is $120, say $150 with freight and packing. Will finalise that number in coming weeks and check again that those who have nominated and still want to proceed. Recognise it is twice as expensive as it used to be, and some people will not be comfortable. It is OK to opt out - no harm, no foul.

My own mental picture says it has been five years since we started this gasket caper, and global prices have gone up. We have also had a pandemic in the middle of it which has shaken all kinds of stuff up in various supply chains. Local manufacturers like AA Gaskets continue to close down, leaving only the little bespoke gasket mobs. They are not set up to bang out 100 gaskets in an afternoon, so prices are higher.

The manufacturer is making up four sample gaskets for me. Will take a look at the quality before we go any further.

Cheers,
Harv

Ladies and gents,

My sincere apologies for the delay in update. With all my chasing, I have only been able to find one Australian company who can manufacture small runs of gaskets. There are several places that can do copper, but very, very few that can do the steel and composite gaskets we need. Most people will not want to play with copper gaskets.

The local company makes their gaskets in two ways. For unique jobs (one or two gaskets for oddball engines) they are hand made. This is not cheap. For medium size jobs (like our order of 50 or so gaskets) they use an overseas manufacturer. The local mob now have a quote from their overseas manufacturer ($128.83 + GST), and a batch size (100 gaskets). It's slow to progress as the local bloke does this as a side-hustle, and the overseas manufacturer normally does very large production runs.

I think I can still make this work.

Plan for now is for the overseas manufacturer to quote on and then make some test samples. I'll check these for quality, the same as I did with the AA Gaskets test samples many years ago. If all is OK, I will proceed with an order. For those that want them, I will on-sell them at cost (same as I did with the last 3 AA Gaskets runs). I suspect I will have more than a few leftovers, and will stash them away. History has shown that about once every two months someone gets in touch wanting one of these gaskets (its a curse). This should let me answer those queries for a few years until we need another run.

Please bear with me as I work through this. I understand that some people will no longer want their gaskets - all good, no harm, no foul.

Cheers,
Harv

Any update harv??
Got some VIC members who keep hassling me for when they can buy some head gaskets  ;)

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Called the gentleman who is supplying the gaskets last Friday. His overseas supplier had been unresponsive (for weeks) about the cost of making some test pieces. Have given the go-ahead to make the test pieces anyway... my risk on the cost.

Once I get the test pieces and confirm they look like they should, I will finalise the order and get 100 in. Should be plenty of spares for the latecomers.

Cheers,
Harv

We are making steady progress on the improved cooling gaskets. The test pieces arrived last night, and they look good. I have asked for a final pricing for a batch of 100, and provided it is reasonable I will give the go-ahead for the manufacturing to start. My risk on the cost.

Once I know the final pricing (including postage to you) and timing, then I will update this thread and ask for final nominations. Some people will still want them, some will pull out, and some newcomers will ask for them. All good.

Cheers,
Harv

Thanks again Harv for your efforts
Trevor_B

Thank you for your efforts. I expect I will jump on board if there are leftovers from thos who have already put their hands up.

Cheers
Jolls

Ladies and Gents,

An update, and offer, for the improved cooling gaskets.

•   The background and technical testing for the gaskets is here: http://forum.fefcholden.club/index.php?topic=26399.0. Subsequent road testing of the gaskets has shown that they work as per the testing.
•   I have made three batches of these gaskets previously via AA Gaskets. As they no longer manufacture, I am changing manufacturing to Gasket Solutions.
•   If you order one of these gaskets, there is no warranty at all – non from Gasket Solutions, and none from me. You take your own risk that the gasket does not fail and/or lead to other damage.
•   Your gasket(s) come packed between two pieces of 7mm ply, and wrapped fully in packing tape. I include a copy of the NASCO instruction sheet and a warning sheet (so you don’t put them in upside down Miss Jane).
•   The cost breakdown of the gaskets is as below:
Supply of a gasket to me: $137.50
Plywood packaging to send it to you: $5.50
Postage to you: $25.00 (I know postage will vary but I don’t have the patience to bill everyone individually based on location).
Harv profit: Nil
Cost of a gasket to you: $168.00
•   I’m happy to combine postage if you want more than one gasket, or band together as a club. I’m also happy for you to pick them up from me in Western Sydney without postage. So:
If you want to pick gaskets up from me, they will cost you $137.50 each, regardless of how many you want.
If you want me to mail you one gasket, it will cost you $168.00.
If you want me to mail you two  gaskets, it will cost you $305.50
If you want me to mail you  three gaskets, it will cost you $443
If you want me to mail you  four gaskets, it will cost you $580.5
If you want me to mail you  five gaskets, it will cost you $718
If you want me to mail you  six gaskets, it will cost you $855.50
•   I have placed an order for 100 gaskets (my risk on the cost). First in, first served. Gauging interest there should be some leftovers for the stragglers but no promises.
•   Like last time, I’ll run out of gaskets by helping the stragglers, and then will have no gaskets for a while. I’ll wait until there is enough noise, and then get another batch done. I do this to help people out, and have plenty of other stuff of my own I should be doing… it could take me a year to get another batch done.
•   Lead time on the gaskets is 6-8 weeks from when the order was placed. This should see me getting the gaskets on Christmas Day. Best case I get these in the mail to you in the week of the 8th of January.

So now looking for final confirmation of orders. If you want one (or more) please post again. Please also send me a PM with your username and real name and address for postage. No need to pay yet.

I will assume that no-one who put their hand up previously wants one, as they did not know the pricing/timing (i.e. if you wanted one before, please ask again). If you wanted one before and no longer do, then all OK… no harm, no foul.

I’ll hold open the orders until the end of November, then will ask for payment from December 1st. That gives me a few weeks to get organised before everyone takes a Christmas break.

Cheers,
Harv (deputy apprentice gasket scraper).

Hi Harv, as I indicated previously put me down for two and thanks for your efforts. Doug

Hi Harv

Can you please add me to the list for two?

Cheers n Beers

Jolls

Thanks Harv,
I will check with the VIC FE FC Club members and get back to you soon.
Cheers,
Trevor_B

Bump.

Reminder please that I need your orders before the end of November. So far I have:
DougT from the FEFC forum.
Jolls from the FEFC forum (please PM me your actual name and address so I know where to send them to).
Daryl from an email who has been waiting patiently for many months.

Once we get to November 30th I will finalise the orders and ask for payment.

I recognise that this gasket is not for everyone… whilst it cools far better than a standard gasket, it is also twice the price.

Cheers,
Harv

Hi Harv,
Revised order from FE FC Holden Car Club of VIC is 16 please.

Please let me know re payment etc.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Noted, with thanks.

Cheers,
Harv

Bump.

If you want one (or more) gaskets please post here. Please also send me a PM with your username and real name and address for postage. No need to pay yet.

I have orders for 39 gaskets so far, from the following:
FB/EK   Parisian62
FE/FC   DougT
FE/FC   Jolls
Email   Darryl
Email   Darren
FX/FJ   SGO
FX/FJ   earleebob (need a name and address please)
FX/FJ   Andrew Donaldson
FB/EK   BS
FE/FC   Vic FE/FC club

At the end of the month (8 days time) I'll close off the orders, and ask for payment.

Cheers,
Harv

Last call for orders please. I’ll close things off at midnight Thursday night, then will ask for payment please. Stragglers may be subject to a late fee (the kind that comes in brown bottles).

I have orders for 51 gaskets total from:
FB/EK   Parisian62
FE/FC   DougT
FE/FC   Jolls
Email   Darryl
Email   Darren
FX/FJ   SGO
FX/FJ   earleebob
FX/FJ   Andrew Donaldson
FB/EK   BS
FE/FC   Trevor_B
FE/FC   Floyd58
Phone   Engine rebuilder

Cheers,
Harv

Orders are finalised, and each of you should have received a PM requesting payment. Please PM me if there are any problems.

Cheers,
Harv

Thanks mate.

H Harv,
You should have payment from the VIC Club by now.
Thanks again
Trevor_B

Payment received, with thanks.

Cheers,
Harv

Short update. All those who have committed to gaskets have paid. Total of 66 gaskets. Still have 30-odd gaskets spare, though experience shows the stragglers will take those over the next 6 months.

Will chase the gasket supplier this week and see how far away the order is. The lead time was quoted as 6-8 weeks, with 6 weeks being up on December 14th.

Cheers,
Harv

Spoke to the gasket supplier today. They are on track, and due to ship to him by the end of December. All going well, I should have these out to people by the end of January depending on logistics. Might be later if I get tied up with work but will try and get the out as soon as I can.

Cheers,
Harv

Excellent news Harv, appreciate your hard work.
Trevor_B

Harv

Thanks for the updates and hard work. Really appreaciate the support.

Cheers n Beers
Jolls

A quick update.

The good news: the gaskets have been manufactured, and have been posted to me by the supplier. Should arrive at my place via Aussie Post mid this week. All the packing plywood has been cut, instructions printed out and addresses labelled ready to go.

The bad news: I’ve gone back to work, so the gaskets won’t get posted out until I get home again. Aiming to get these into the post for you on Monday, 5th February. Apologies for the delay - had hoped they would arrive before my holiday ended, but no such luck.

Cheers,
Harv

Hi Harv, thanks for the update.

Thanks HArve, appreciate the update and your drive to get this done. Cheers

As promised, I have posted out the gaskets yesterday. You should have either:
 
a) a PM message giving you your Aussie Post tracking number, or
b) a PM message asking for your address so I can post them.
 
Gaskets are single wrapped in cellophane, and put in with copies of the NASCO information, a warning on installation, and info from the new manufacturer. All that is sandwiched between ply, and wrapped in tape.
 
I still have some gaskets left if there are any stragglers.
 
Cheers,
Harv

Hi Harv,

Gaskets arrived in Murrumbateman today in pristine condition. Thank you for your time, effot and patience.

Cheers n Beers
Craig

Welcome :)

Cheers,
Harv

Got my gaskets today. Thanks Harv

No problem  :)

Cheers,
Harv

Hi Harv,
Received the 16 gaskets for the VIC FE FC Club thanks, well packaged and arrived safe.
Appreciate your efforts.
Cheers,
Trevor_B

Welcome :)

Cheers,
Harv