I'm desperate to start building my engine, and need to know if these are special in any way or would any o ring of the same diameter and thickness be ok.

 

Not special at all,but it does need to be the exact same dimension for a good sealed fit which will last,so not the cheapest you can find lol.
But tbho I'd wait and order the real deal!

 

Dont they need to be oiled before you put the in place?

 

I would buy a full engine set, by the time you bought them individually youll end up spending as much, and if an O ring fails between cases you'll be re building it all again.

 

Well it's not a cheap skate thing it's all about time scale need to drive back to england in 2 weeks, and the post office here is horrendous 3 weeks to get my gaskets, then i had to go to a sorting/customs office 35miles away and pay £20 for them,god knows when the other bits will turn up, but at least i will be able to build everything else up in the mean time if i can use different o rings that i have already sourced locally.

 

Not really bothered about having to build it again as i will be building lots more engines in future anyway.

 

Import car parts will mail order anywhere & at a very good price to.

 

buy a full kit and not a cheap one this will save you soooooooo much agro been there done it and FAILED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'll second that.

 

Do people read whats written, as in every word or just the first line and thread title

 

If your stuck and need to get on with the build then you can reuse the old one's with a little bit of sealant on them - provided they sit slightly proud of the block faces they will be fine to reuse.

Mick