Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

[mkc1962]

I'm restoring and old Elgin, Model 571-58401. Its my fist time on something this old. My question is pertaining to gaskets, or gasket material. Ive been making near all of my gaskets for similar projects for near 30 years, so familiar with the how to. What I am looking for is the type of material that was used particulairly on the Cylinder head gasket of these small motors. After taking the head off, what is in there looks to be nothing more than the heavy grey gasket paper. Ive never seen a cylinder head gasket with anything less than atleast graphite impregnated.

Any suggestions, ideas , or facts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

NAPA sells head gasket material.I think it is available in different sizes and weights.I was working on a 1929 Straight 8 and chose the heavy type It was a black waxy
material with a thin layer of metalic material in the middle.I would say its your call
the graphite impregnated you described sounds good to me.In fact I think I still have something similar in the cellar.

 

[mkc1962]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

Steelespike,

Thanks for some quick feedback. I need to go to NAPA tomorrow for some other stuff will check to see if they offer what you suggest. As for my Graphite idea, I honestly wouldnt even know where to get that either. I was just referring to the fact that it was the least quality I had ever seen for a head application.

As for your recomendation. How would one cut gasket material with a metal layer? Or is that layer thin enough that an Exacto will handle it?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

I used hole punches and a little hammer to tap out the larger holes .
Metal was relatively thin probably aluminum and perferated.
Have you ever cut(tapped out) a gasket with a small ball pein hammer ?

 

[mkc1962]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

Steelespike,

If your referring to bumping the edges with the round part of a bal peen, yes that also is how I do it, as well as a gasket punch set for holes. But, this gasket in question, has a long, semi circular area that is at best about 1/8" to 3/16" wide. I dont think the peening approach is going to work real well on that area considering the possibility of a metal layer, but it might. I suppose worst case I could use a small finely sharpened chisel for that area.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

I think based on what you found for your purpose you don't need the true headgasket type.
I've seen a reasonably hard blackish gasket material that I think may be available in something like 1/32 I think could be cut with an exacto.Unfortunately its been probably 20 years since I last used it.

 

[mkc1962]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

I was looking at the old gasket closely today and tried cutting it without ruining its shape for use as a a pattern. Tough extremely old an aged, it appears to be some sort of fibrous material, grey/black, probably very similar to the graphite paper, obvious mtal layer of any kind. Even at its most comressed point it appears to be roughly 1/16 - 3/32 thick. Been busy getting ready for a trip since yesterday and never got time to go to NAPA, but do plan to eventually, and find the one you recommended or some sort of graphite. Until I get that piston out, and make sure all is still useable and workable, no real need getting 100% invovled in gasket making anyway.

As for that arched area, I do have a manual hole punch type gasket cutter, wth variable heads, worst case I can just keep punching away with one of the smaller holes until I can get that circular path done.

 

[taylorray]

Re: Gasket source 49-51 Elgin

I was looking at the old gasket closely today and tried cutting it without ruining its shape for use as a a pattern. Tough extremely old an aged, it appears to be some sort of fibrous material, grey/black, probably very similar to the graphite paper, obvious mtal layer of any kind. Even at its most comressed point it appears to be roughly 1/16 - 3/32 thick. Been busy getting ready for a trip since yesterday and never got time to go to NAPA, but do plan to eventually, and find the one you recommended or some sort of graphite. Until I get that piston out, and make sure all is still useable and workable, no real need getting 100% invovled in gasket making anyway.

As for that arched area, I do have a manual hole punch type gasket cutter, wth variable heads, worst case I can just keep punching away with one of the smaller holes until I can get that circular path done gasket cutter kit.

Does anyone know a good source for gaskets? I guess I could google it, but I'd like to get some suggestions from people "in the know", so to speak. Thanks in advance for your responses.