Gasket Material Selection.

[iboat2011]

Hello,

I am in the process of rebuilding my 1962 40HP Johnson and plan to make my own gaskets to save $$. Other than the thickness, can anyone give me some advices on how to select the right gasket materials(in terms of pressure and/or temperature, ethanol resistance, paper or rubber or fiber material etc ) for carb, exhaust housing and powerhead etc?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Andrew

 

[iboat2011]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Hello,

When I go to allstategasket website, there are some many types of gasket: cork, rubber, fiberglass etc. I am wondering if anyone wants to share experience of selectiing the proper gasket materials for carb, oil pump, crankcase, powerhead and exhaust housing etc on a old Johnson motor.

Thanks a lot!
Andrew

 

[toddschubert]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Buy the right gasket

 

[mekkamaz]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

I think you may consider buying the gaskets already made, alone or by kit. There are no such as expensive and save you a lot of trouble.
Sometimes when you want to buy a piece of material to make a gasket it?s troublesome cause sometimes they usually sell more than you need (i.e. whole sheet) My advise to you is buy the gaskets. Making our own shall be the last resort in an emergency situation or so.
Regards.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

buy the right gasket

x2. . .

 

[WernerF]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Some critical gaskets are coated with a special sealant which melts and seals the surfaces when the engine is fired up the first time. I have seen it on a 1978 Yamaha exhaust manifold.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

x2. . .

x3 Most gaskets are way too cheap and easy to get to bother with making your own. you should be able to get many of them right here at iboats and/or off of sites like e-bay and amazon too, believe it or not.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Im going to play the devils advocote here.

I make all my own gaskets. Except for head gaskets. But I work on alot of motors every year, so I go through rolls of gasket material. I have different rolls for different uses. 1 for carbs, 1 for base gaskets, 1 for pressure tanks, 1 for the diaphragms, etc...

It actually does not take very much time at all, if you have the correct punches. I made patterns out of sheet metal for different year/hps and just trace away when I need a gasket. I probably wouldnt do this if I only had 1 motor to maintain. But for those of us that have "addictions" to restoring motors, you have to save money where you can.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Gaskets for a 1962 40hp should still be easily obtainable. These motors are still really common. I've made my own gaskets in the past, but that's on motors that pre-date that 40hp by 20 years or more. It's not a bad idea to make your own. Anyone who can use an exacto-knife and punch can do it easily and a lot of times, it's cheaper. So, it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Most gaskets are made from the basic gasket paper, but like your head gaskets and such, those are a bit different.

 

[boobie]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

If it's a one time deal, I'd just buy the proper gaskets but as HighTrim said, if you're going to do a lot of mtrs, then it pays.

 

[iboat2011]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Im going to play the devils advocote here.

I make all my own gaskets. Except for head gaskets. But I work on alot of motors every year, so I go through rolls of gasket material. I have different rolls for different uses. 1 for carbs, 1 for base gaskets, 1 for pressure tanks, 1 for the diaphragms, etc...

It actually does not take very much time at all, if you have the correct punches. I made patterns out of sheet metal for different year/hps and just trace away when I need a gasket. I probably wouldnt do this if I only had 1 motor to maintain. But for those of us that have "addictions" to restoring motors, you have to save money where you can.

Thanks for everyone's help! Acutally I have several other motors to restore and I guess I will make most of gaskets(except for powerhead) by myself.

HighTrim,
As you mentioned that you have different rolls for different uses, do you mind sharing what specific gasket material you use for each of the key motor components(like carb, gearcase, water pump, diaphragms etc) and where you get them?

Thanks a lot!
Andrew

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Most of the gaskets I use are from the same material. My company works in oil refineries, hydro plants, etc... and I collect the cutouts and such from flanges/valves that they usually throw away because they are too small, but are perfect for my little outboard gaskets.

The hardest material I had to find was an equivalent to the diaphragm material for the 2 line pressure tanks.

Ill put together a little list to help you out with this.

 

[BillP]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Im going to play the devils advocote here.

I make all my own gaskets. Except for head gaskets. But I work on alot of motors every year, so I go through rolls of gasket material. I have different rolls for different uses. 1 for carbs, 1 for base gaskets, 1 for pressure tanks, 1 for the diaphragms, etc...

It actually does not take very much time at all, if you have the correct punches. I made patterns out of sheet metal for different year/hps and just trace away when I need a gasket. I probably wouldnt do this if I only had 1 motor to maintain. But for those of us that have "addictions" to restoring motors, you have to save money where you can.

Ditto that. I make most of mine due to the convenience of not having to order and wait. Cost isn't a factor. I go to the local auto supply and buy several thicknesses and match up to what I need. For just a few $$ I keep a stash of gasket material and have it handy for use. I have a $5 hole punch (from any sewing shop) that has a rotating wheel with different hole sizes...cheap but totally funtional for gaskets. It does 99% of the bolt holes needed for outboards. For 3/8" holes and up I use a different set (same as what I punch wads for blackpowder shooting). There is some "art" making gaskets but it isn't rocket science. The worst part is getting the pattern and some require clamping (lightly) the parts to gether to get the "cutout" area exact. Do the cutouts with a #11Exacto. The only one I don't make is the nozzle gasket (O ring) and thats becase I don't know where to buy the spongy material. Regular gasket material doesn't do as well (although I have had success its a pain on this one application).

Over and out and upward and onward!!!

bp

 

[iboat2011]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Most of the gaskets I use are from the same material. My company works in oil refineries, hydro plants, etc... and I collect the cutouts and such from flanges/valves that they usually throw away because they are too small, but are perfect for my little outboard gaskets.

The hardest material I had to find was an equivalent to the diaphragm material for the 2 line pressure tanks.

Ill put together a little list to help you out with this.

Chris,

Just wondering if you get a chance to come up with of list of gasket materials to use for each specific component in a motor. I think it will also benefit others who are interested.

Thanks a lot in advance!
Andrew

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

The black gasket material (I'm not sure what the material is now. Used to be asbestos) will cover all high temperature areas on your engine. The cork is seldom used and is for low temp non-chemical contact areas. The metal/fiber gaskets should be replaced with manufacture gaskets. Many of them have rolled compression ridges that form a seal without sealant and can't be reused. I should say they can in a pinch but only until you get the new replacement.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

I go to the local industrial supply store and get a couple of square feet of several different gasket materials...the folks there can generally recommend an "exhast gasket material and a carb base gasket material" for you. It's nice to keep some materials in the shop, but some gaskets area a lot easier to make than others, depending on their size and design. A special metallic/fiberglass/multi-layer type head gasket might be something to just purchase from the motor manufacturer. Good Luck!

 

[dehydrated]

Re: Gasket Material Selection.

Napa and Carquest both stock gasket material of differant types