Attempting to save a gasket for reuse- TIPS OR TRICKS?

[Lebby]

In this world of frugality and being shown the dreaded "NLA", does any body out there know any tips or tricks about "saving" a gasket? Larger gaskets used for tranny covers or gear boxes fall into pasteboard or cereal boxes as replacement gasket material.
Case in point : Satoh Bison's Nikki carburator. From what I've learned and read, large percentage of the S650G's are running around with the choke half pulled out. This is due to very small jets in the idle system. One being .017" in size. Perfect for plugging.
I know, I should just go out and purchase a new gasket set. It just seems as though one should be able to "pop" the top off and get at and clean and blow out these orffices in the idle system In the mean time saving the gasket for reuse.

Any tips or tricks as to possibly soaking in some solution or ? to soften the seal and allowing the gaskets to come apart in a reuseable condition?

Thanks in advance!!!
LEBBY

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I always bought a new carb kit for the old 2 cycle snowmobile engines. Just wasn't cost effective to get super frugal and have it quit on your 10 miles back in the woods and cold white.

That said, using solid card stock for large paper gaskets has never given me any problems; as long as they were all one piece. You just can't seem to get two or more pieces to mate together without leaving a pinhole for leakage.

 

[jaotguy]

grease both sides of the new gasket before assembly , holds the gasket in place ... and should pop off easily for the "next time".

sometimes rapping the 2 pieces in a shearing motion ( side to side) will break the gaskets free without too much damage.

just some things that have worked in the past.

 

[flyerdan]

If you can separate the two surfaces gradually and are able to get all around them, sometimes you can use a razor blade to free stuck areas, which will be predominately on one of the surfaces. I've reused gaskets that had a tear or break in it by gluing one side down with spray tack and putting a bit of permatex on the break, and using a bit of white grease on the opposite surface. Granted, that was on an old beater lawnmower and wasn't a critical app. That won't work on a gasket that has been glued on both sides when assembled, of course, that's when you have to use gasket paper and make new ones. Not much of a big deal on the bigger or simple ones, but the little complicated ones like carburetor sections should be salvaged whenever possible.

 

[PILOON]

grease both sides of the new gasket before assembly , holds the gasket in place ... and should pop off easily for the "next time".
.

Yep I do that also. Works for me every time.

And another old trick for home made gaskets: use ball bearing 'balls' laid over the holes where a gasket needs to be holed and a sharp rap with a hammer cuts a just oversize hole in the new home made gasket. I keep from 3/8 to 3/4" balls just for that.
Also light tapping marks and even cuts the new gasket to size.
Plain shirt cardboard is what I like to use.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Yep I do that also. Works for me every time.

And another old trick for home made gaskets: use ball bearing 'balls' laid over the holes where a gasket needs to be holed and a sharp rap with a hammer cuts a just oversize hole in the new home made gasket. I keep from 3/8 to 3/4" balls just for that.
Also light tapping marks and even cuts the new gasket to size.
Plain shirt cardboard is what I like to use.

Good trick with the ball bearings. We've always just struggled with a hole punch and hoped for the best, so I'll have to try that next time I make a gasket. We use cardboard a lot, with both sides coated in NAPA Indian Head Shellac and allowed to set up a little. Makes for a pretty good seal. More than once I can say the wife has gone for a bowl of cereal and only found the bag;-)

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[jaotguy]

lip stick (or oil) on the surface to be templated ... then gently press the gasket material into it... gives a good outline of the new gasket and passages.

 

[Reverser]

lip stick (or oil) on the surface to be templated ... then gently press the gasket material into it... gives a good outline of the new gasket and passages.

That's a great idea. :thumbsup:
Of course, the wife will wonder why her lipstick has a notch out of it. :laughing:

 

[3930dave]

That's a great idea. :thumbsup:
Of course, the wife will wonder why her lipstick has a notch out of it. :laughing:

Using lipstick AND putting it back ? Your either way braver than I am, or just crazy :drink: !

Lebby - have you tried something like Seafoam ? It might save you taking the carb apart, if this is the only thing you need to address.

Seafoam is good, but no promises, if the jet is plugged solid end-to-end then it may not clear it.

There is one or 10 threads on here about Seafoam; I know it from the old motorcycle world, and like it.

Rgds, D.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Yep I do that also. Works for me every time.

And another old trick for home made gaskets: use ball bearing 'balls' laid over the holes where a gasket needs to be holed and a sharp rap with a hammer cuts a just oversize hole in the new home made gasket. I keep from 3/8 to 3/4" balls just for that.
Also light tapping marks and even cuts the new gasket to size.
Plain shirt cardboard is what I like to use.

I've used empty bullet casings for making holes.. Cant go too large of course, unless you have a .50 cal