Old gasket Material

[jeff_smith_0423]

Gents,

I've finished the removal, disassembly, cleaning and rebuild of the two carbs on my '77 Merc 850, and have a quick question before i put them back on. When removing the lower carb, part of the old cardboard/asbestos gasket remained stuck on the intake. I'm not having much luck getting if off. This may be because the motor is still mounted on the transom and things are tough to get at, but it may be that it's just become one with the intake.

Any suggestions as to what i can use to get it off? Can it be torched? Any chemicals i should avoid using so close to the intake? I'd really prefer NOT using a dremel at this point. The thought of all that material going everywhere (and potentially into the crankcase ) makes my skin crawl.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Old gasket Material

Stuff it with a rag and use a razor blade.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Old gasket Material

There are gasket remover chemicals available at your local auto parts stores. Be sure to follow directions

 

[ddennis]

Re: Old gasket Material

Sears sells a handy gasket scraper tool with a long handle...that along with a good shot of gasket remover spray from the parts house should get it nice and clean!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Old gasket Material

It has to be clean. A leak there will smoke a piston in short order.

hope it helps
John

 

[flabum]

Re: Old gasket Material

I use wood chisels shapened and honed..... does a nice job even on tough gaskets, just be carful not to gouge the surface.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Old gasket Material

That's why some of old "gruffs" would just a'soon use grease as gasket sealer on gaskets.

Especially the "next time" we have to scrape that near to impossible flange.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Old gasket Material

hello,

i also have a tuff gasket session coming up. on my 85HP evinrude head plates. i plan to take my dremel wire wheel to it for a look-see... with my HD 6 hp shop vac running 1" away from wheel to control flying gasket and dust...

i am optimistic this will let me eat the gasket down to the metal surface, albiet it may be a slow task... but clean is as clean does for gasket surfaces.

i do have a new flat chisel set also. hmm?? think i will hone the 3/8" tip some. i know a straight razor blade wont make a dent.

then i will clean with laq thinner.

sounds good enuff for my needs. may help u too.

regards,

lakester

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Old gasket Material

Great suggestions from you all.. Thankfully i was able to get it off with several coats of gasket removed daubed on with a paper towel, and successive scrapings.. came pretty clean. I got the final carb back on tonight.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Old gasket Material

jeff sez:

Thankfully i was able to get it off with several coats of gasket removed daubed on with a paper towel, and successive scrapings.. came pretty clean.

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good to know. i am headed to supply store in am. will also stop and get me some gasket remover then, too.

i have never used the stuff, desite many engine td's... but if u dont mind a secret... this stuff is about the tuffest i have seen and i am open to anything. thanks.

regards

lakester

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Old gasket Material

good to know. i am headed to supply store in am. will also stop and get me some gasket remover then, too.

i have never used the stuff, desite many engine td's... but if u dont mind a secret... this stuff is about the tuffest i have seen and i am open to anything. thanks.

regards

lakester

One word of warning - gasket remover = methylene chlorlide = paint remover. It'll bubble paint, and i'm assuming gelcoat, in a hearbeat. Took 3-4 soakings and about ten minutes of sit-time apiece to really get the baked on gaskets gummed up and scraping.