This valve cover gasket seals the joint between the valve cover and the cylinder head on the host tractor engine. It prevents oil leaks and keeps contaminants out of the valvetrain area. The gasket is compressed between the two mating surfaces when the cover is torqued to specification. A degraded gasket allows oil to weep externally, which can lead to low oil level and eventual valvetrain wear if not addressed. Victor Reinz manufactures this gasket to match the original profile and material hardness, so it seats correctly in the cover groove without additional sealant. On reinstallation, clean both sealing surfaces and tighten the cover bolts in the sequence and torque specified for the engine.