Why is there a gasket between gearbox and bellhousing?

[Mole]

I know this is probably a really stupid question (you'll have to get used to them) but why is there a gasket between the gearbox and bellhousing?

 

I had always assumed that gaskets were there to provide a fluid or gas-tight seal but in this case it won't! The bellhousing has a machined flat face, the corresponding face on the 'box (Caterham supplied 5-speed) is for the most part machined flat, but at the bottom, the body of the box doesn't quite reach the level of the machined flat part. Although the gasket runs round this section, it doesn't create a tight seal.

 

As usual when something doesn't make sense I think I must have missed something! Is the gasket supposed to create a seal or is it there just to absorb vibration?

 

1.8K, SV

 

The Mole

[scooby dooby doo]

i noticed my car had what seemed to be a load of silicon sealant here as well. it didn't seem particularly necessary...

 

Dave Hooper - North London

dmch2@lineone.net

[scooby dooby doo]

i noticed my car had what seemed to be a load of silicon sealant here as well. it didn't seem particularly necessary...

 

Dave Hooper - North London

dmch2@lineone.net

[sieds]

The gasket is there to prefent from oil leaks due to the rod which changes gears sliding in and out of the main gearbox housing, without having a seal in place.

 

The silicon stuff ussaully does the job a lot better, don't leave one of the two out this will result in a high amount of oil come out of the box, which might even damage the clutch plate. Did this once on advice of the gearbox "specialist" reuslted in get the whole lot out again and re do it again.

 

Regards,