making your own gaskets / seals

[lgaytan]

Hi, I usually buy all my gaskets online but this time I have ordered the pump base gasket on ebay and the seller hasn't sent it yet, I have a fishing trip very soon and I think it will not arrive on time, so I'm thinking to make one my self, does anybody knows what kind of material is recommended? for this one Quicksilver 27-32771.

thanks

 

[airshot]

Gasket material, comes in various thicknesses, and materials for wet or dry gasket situations. Can be a very tricky job. In my younger days they made a kit for making gaskets, an exacto knife among other types of cutters and tools for making screw holes. Back then we had little choice but to make our own....

 

[cyclops222]

That is a very difficult one to do. Buy a correct one for the trip.

 

[lgaytan]

I purchased a kit of some sheets to make gaskets I'll give it a try, if I can make the shake I will pressure test the gear case if it works I will use it while I get the OEM gaskets.

 

[Chris1956]

Make sure the Oring under the pump base fits properly. I think most of the sealing occurs there.

 

[tphoyt]

Do you know any one with a laser printer. Maybe your local high school could help out in a pinch.

 

[racerone]

I made a simple fixture to punch the bolt / water holes in gaskets.----Works a charm.

 

[lgaytan]

Do you know any one with a laser printer. Maybe your local high school could help out in a pinch.

This is the plan now, I got a friend with one of those laser printers he offered to help me, my doubts are in what material to use, the one I purchased online had very little specifications just said automotive gaskets, once arriving I will see if the material looks good.

 

[racerone]

Most marine shops have that gasket in stock.-----Used for many years ( 1964 to 1990 ) on many outboards / stern drives.

 

[lgaytan]

Most marine shops have that gasket in stock.-----Used for many years ( 1964 to 1990 ) on many outboards / stern drives.

I live far from any marine shop and not in the US, I typically buy from internet and have to import this stuff home, takes about 2 weeks to get this things here, this time the seller screwed up and didn't ship on time for my next trip that is why I was looking for alternatives.
Now,I just got my gasket material and last night I was able to make the gasket with just a knife,I don't think it was too difficult, took me like 30 minutes and two attempts. How ever I still have a leak when pressurizing I think now are the shaft seals.

 

[Chris1956]

All the leaks in the waterpump base I have ever had were from the driveshaft seal. The base gasket and Oring did not leak, as far as I could tell. My V6 Merc has needed two shift shaft seals in the last decade.

 

[airshot]

This is the plan now, I got a friend with one of those laser printers he offered to help me, my doubts are in what material to use, the one I purchased online had very little specifications just said automotive gaskets, once arriving I will see if the material looks good.

My granddaughter has one of the vinyl cutter laser machines that uses a tiny knife to cut thru material. The company advertises it can make automotive gaskets, even though she has never tried, it makes awesome vinyl cutouts with great detail. I would guess just a change in material and it would make great gaskets.

 

[matt167]

Auto parts store usually has paper gasket material. That would work. In a pinch, a paper bag and gasket shellac will work, and Manila card stock as well. That said I haven’t made a gasket in years, and I actually just ran across a huge sheet of perforated MLS gasket I had somewhere that I’m not exactly sure what I bought it for.