The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Gasket Makeup & Mechanics

Gaskets can, and are, made of many different materials, depending on the application. My question is about the paper gaskets. In the past, and still, quick repairs have been made using home-made gaskets fashioned from cardboard or heavy paper of sorts. Depending on the flatness and the flexibility of the mating surfaces, different materials should be used. For steel castings etc. where the mating surfaces do not flex, I would guess that a more spongy gasket might be best. However, I'd guess that a flexible surface might need a material that expands a little AFTER it is in place and tightened down. Its expansion could come from the introduction of either water or a petrolium product.

Is this really how gaskets are designed and used?
What material have you fashioned your home-made gaskets from?
When do you decide to use sealer with a gasket?

Thanks for your input.

Rance

"For steel castings etc. where the mating surfaces do not flex, I would guess that a more spongy gasket might be best"
like a head gasket? ... or a thermostat housing gasket? ... or a trans side cover gasket?

gasket material depends on the "material" being contained as much as the mating surfaces - pressure, oil, grease, water, air
nowadays many gaskets can be replaced altogether w/ sealer, or 'liquid gasket maker'

Bill

Rule of thumb. If both surfaces are machined smooth, use paper. If rough or sheet metal is present, use cork. You can buy both cork and paper gasket material at a good parts store. However, most all of the cork gaskets can be purchased at a parts store.

Adhesive use is one of preference. My use of rtv with paper and cork gaskets has not been good. Permatex #2, aviation sealer, red high tack and copper are on my bench for paper, aviation is my most common use. For cork, I almost always use yellow weatherstrip adhesive.