What gasket material to use?

[Colorado04]

I've got a 1929 Johnson J25 1.5hp kicker. I have taken it apart to restore it. I have managed to remove three gaskets on the powerhead with minimal damage to them (very lucky). Actually, that's all there is. I have not been able to find replacements on the Net and was wondering if anyone could suggest what material I might use to replicate them. They are very thin. There is a gasket from the head to the crank case, one crank case gasket to join the two halves and one for the power head to the lower unit. These gaskets are about as thin as a couple of sheets of paper put together. It's hard to tell what they are made of being oil soaked and all. Would I be able to get away with using business card stock paper and alittle gasket sealer, or is that just a stupid idea?<br /><br />If anyone had any suggestion, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: What gasket material to use?

Colorado04: I'm thinking others will give you more specific advice. But in my VERY limited experience...<br /><br />Autoparts stores sell sheets of a variety of kinds of gasket material. Take your sample in and compare it to what they carry, understanding that what you have is probably a little compressed. I think you'll find material that is the same. I bought a multi-pack which had 3 or 4 sheets of different material because I needed a cork gasket and a black/gray paper one. The pack had pretty much exactly like what I was looking for. I later found a gasket kit and discovered that the old cork gasket had been replaced in the kit with a similar gasket made of rubber. Therefore, I have come to believe common sense will allow substitues.<br /><br />I would do this before using plain paper. (although in my youth, my grandpa taught me to use paper, etc. when we'd be fixing lawn mowers and go-karts.)

 

[Colorado04]

Re: What gasket material to use?

Thanks D. I'll do that.