<VV> Using two block cover gaskets

[Smitty]

---- Mike McCrae <mmccrae6 at cox.net> wrote: 
> You?re not going to like my reply Smitty.....and I?ve done 67 engines
being that?s all I do. Eliminating the gaskets drops the fan a considerable
distance from the top of the shroud and makes it a heck of a lot less
efficient. And that is if you?re using a gauge on a granite slab like we do,
and adhering to the specs offered by clark?s. I believe the term is called
?reversion?.
Mike McCrae of ?Corvairs Only?
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Smitty says;  Mike I respect your right to have an opinion.  That is more
than I offer some on this list.  Having done so many engines I would suppose
you have changed even more fan bearings, so you have BTDT.  When I had my
first fan bearing failure (and not knowing any better) I looked in the shop
manual for advice on how to change it.  I found the specifications for fan
bearing upper flange height.  (both dimensions)  I don't know what Clarks
says and have no interest in that.  I made a sheetmetal gage to rest in bolt
holes on each side of the block cover to set the bearing height.  It is
accurate to a couple of thousandths of an inch.  As you say though it
doesn't compensate for two gaskets or no gaskets.  When I read your post I
went to the garage and climbed a ladder and dug into an unopened Gasket set.
Took out a block cover gasket and measured it with a micrometer.  It was
.020 thick.  That means the fan will be lowered by a whopping .040.  (HERE"S
MY OPINION NOW).  I don't think that is going to ever have a measurable
effect on engine cooling.  Think about that.  Something more than the
thickness of 
toasties box cardboard. 
Next time I change a bearing I may file away .040 of the under side of my
gage and see if my engine runs cooler.