Integrated gear housing/air compressor gasket

摘要

A separable gasket for use in sealing the interface between a gear housing and an engine block as well as the interface between an air compressor and the gear housing includes a first gasket portion constructed and arranged for sealing the interface between the gear housing and the engine block and a second gasket portion constructed and arranged for sealing the interface between the air compressor and the gear housing. A third gasket portion in the form of a perforated score line is positioned between the first gasket portion and the second gasket portion. In the event the air compressor requires servicing, the present invention enables the second gasket portion to be manually flexed and ultimately separated from the first gasket portion so that a replacement gasket can be assembled when the air compressor is reassembled to the gear housing. By separating the second gasket portion from the first gasket portion, the servicing of the air compressor does not necessitate any disassembly of the gear housing from the engine block nor any replacement of the first gasket portion.