Abstract: A valve cover gasket assembly for an automotive engine includes a rigid core having a plurality of pairs of notches, with each pair comprising one notch on the inner edge of the core and one notch on the outer edge. The assembly further includes a rigid stop member for each pair of notches, each stop member having a portion defining a fastener hole and a spaced apart lug. The stop members are secured to the core by engagement with the notches. When secured in this manner, the portion of each stop member defining the fastener hole is offset laterally from the core. An elastomeric envelope having elastomeric beads is applied over the core and a portion of each stop member, so that the beads extend continuously around the length of the assembly.

Abstract: A gasket to be positioned between two sealing flanges of an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of stacked gasket layers. Each layer has two opposing generally planar surfaces and predetermined thickness. At least one of the gasket layers has a surface projection at a predetermined height above its generally planar surface and another layer defines a void. The surface projection is situated so that the projection aligns with and extends into the void. The combined thicknesses of the gasket layers is not increased by the height of the surface projection.

Abstract: A gasket defining a service opening of a bolt hole. The bolt hole has one or more spaced beams which engage and grip a bolt and which resist removal of the bolt. Each beam is spaced inwardly of the outer wall of the bolt hole and will flex along its length without fracturing. The beams may be cantilever beams or may be connected at both ends of the beam to the wall of the bolt hole. The beams are long and narrow and are at least four times as long as they are wide.

Abstract: A multi-layer metal gasket having aligned positioning and preform openings, with segments of the preform opening closely abutting the positioning openings to prevent relative lateral movement of the layers and with tabs of the preform opening underlying one of the other gasket layers to prevent relative vertical movement. A method of making such a gasket is also disclosed.