Making your own gaskets?

[baytonemus]

I keep a roll of rubber fiber gasket material (for oil, gas, and water) on hand and routinely cut my own gaskets for auto and cycle, especially when buying pre-made gaskets gets costly. Not appropriate for everything, but you can use it for a lot of different applications.

Does anyone make their own gaskets for outboard motors? I was thinking of making one of the leaf plate gaskets for my Big Twin.

Thanks!

 

[Rick.]

Re: Making your own gaskets?

I used to do it all the time with good success. Like about thirty years ago when kids were young and money was very tight. I also think I had a lot more patience back then as well. Would not even consider it now though. For that matter I find I need at least three times the light I used to require to work and a good pair of magnifiers. Boy times have changed. Rick.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Making your own gaskets?

I do it.

The leaf plate gasket is pretty easy, or was. The old ones came off intact, I just traced then on the new material and was on my way.
they are only $5 each. But shipping is 2 weeks and $8

For that reason Ill make my own whenever I can

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Making your own gaskets?

I do it.

The leaf plate gasket is pretty easy, or was. The old ones came off intact, I just traced then on the new material and was on my way.
they are only $5 each. But shipping is 2 weeks and $8

For that reason Ill make my own whenever I can

The prices I was seeing for the gasket I still need are in the $8-13 range. When you start getting up towards $20 with shipping, I think it's worth doing.

I'll coat the sealing edge of the cover or part with a little oil, then press it down on the gasket material. That usually works pretty well for leaving an "image" of the concealed inside edge of the gasket. I use an old set of X-acto knives to cut them.

 

[Sir Robin]

Re: Making your own gaskets?

I used to do it all the time with good success. Like about thirty years ago when kids were young and money was very tight. I also think I had a lot more patience back then as well. Would not even consider it now though. For that matter I find I need at least three times the light I used to require to work and a good pair of magnifiers. Boy times have changed. Rick.

Hey.... I resemble that.......................