TOLEDO, Ohio, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The C5 Corvette engine is an all-new 5.7 liter V-8 with both block and cylinder head made of aluminum, using cast iron cylinder liners. It is tuned aggressively to an output of around 350 hp, with tremendous torque as well. The combination of high power output, aggressive driving -- often at high RPM -- and aluminum block several times the mass of the aluminum heads, creates major challenges in engine sealing.

Expansion and contraction of the head and block, thermal motion, and engine "flexing" are much greater than with a traditional cast iron engine. An advanced, "web lace flange" gasket developed by Dana Corporation's Victor Reinz takes on the task of sealing the hot new engine, but this is not the only engine that benefits from the technology.

Victor Reinz has also made this type of gasket design available to help seal other engines currently operating in the U.S.

One key to making the Corvette and other hard-to-seal engines "tick" is the design and construction of the unique cylinder head gasket. This gasket must be able to contain combustion, control oil and coolant flows, accommodate extreme block and head motion, and withstand high firing pressures and very high operating temperatures on a regular basis -- and still seal the engine.

Victor Reinz developed a unique Nitroseal(TM) gasket that employs the most modern materials and sophisticated design elements, including:

-- A perforated steel core, mechanically clinched to graphite facings on

both sides.

-- A unique stainless steel web lace flange that "traps" each cylinder and

coolant passage. This "steel lace" is joined together at critical

points and strengthens the entire gasket. Using an "island sealing

concept," coolant is trapped in an "island" by the web lace,

preventing coolant leakage as the engine ages. The entire gasket is

strengthened significantly by the web lace flange and the steel core,

yielding greater durability under the "flexing" of engines operating

vigorously.

-- A Teflon(R) coating, sintered to the steel flange at very high

temperatures, improves lubricity and helps accommodate block and head

movement.

These designs and materials have several important effects in protecting the engine:

-- The gasket resists the fretting and wear caused by constant expansion

and contraction, and the graphite facing and the added Teflon coating

on the flanga allows for thermal motion without losing the seal.

-- The design of the gasket conducts heat away from the cylinders and

distributes it evenly around the head, preventing overheating or "hot

spots."

Similar sealing challenges on other late model engines have led Victor Reinz to offer these same features on gaskets sold to the automotive replacement market.

"This type of gasket, either installed as original equipment or as a replacement gasket, is a perfect match for many of the toughest engines to seal," noted Tom Dattilo, Dana's vice president, sealing products and distribution. "You don't have to drive a Corvette to benefit from this design. Variations of the Nitroseal gasket are available to help seal millions of earlier small block Chevrolet V-8s, small block Ford Motor Company V-8s, the General Motors Corp. Quad IV engine, and other powerplants," Dattilo said.

Victor Reinz is part of Dana Engine Components, one of Dana's global strategic business units. Dana Engine Components provides advanced, synergistic, total systems solutions for engine builders' parts design and sourcing, worldwide. Dana Engine Components combines the strength and capabilities of Victor Reinz(R) gaskets and sealing products, Perfect Circle(R) power cylinder components and heavy duty camshafts, Wix(R) filtration products, and Plumley powertrain components.

Dana Corporation (NYSE: DCN) is a leader in engineering, manufacture and distribution of products and services for the automotive, engine, heavy truck, off-highway, industrial and leasing markets. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, OH, Dana operates facilities in over 30 countries and employs more than 50,000 people. The company reported record sales of $8.3 billion in 1997. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com.

Copyright 1998, PR Newswire