Gasket material type needed

[ns_in_tex]

Is it ok to make a gasket out of cork gasket material when installing a new thermostat?

 

[flyerdan]

I don't know about cork in a pressure application (albeit a low pressure). I normally associate cork with oil pan and valve covers, most thermostat gaskets I've seen are paper, and I've made a few. Most are pretty simple to cut out.

 

[ch1ch2]

I make most of mine with ATV silicone sealant.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I would make a heavy paper gasket (gasket material) and coat each side with ATV or similar. Paper gaskets are easy to make with a ball peen hammer. I have made high pressure gaskets that way using a graphite and fiber (used to be asbestos), Garlock brand Name, gasket material the same way. I will entertain questions on how to use the hammer.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Cork is old school but if it is gasket purposed material, go for it and just make sure your surfaces are clean and use some gasket sealant. Some say rubber is better and I tend to agree but mainly because the rubber is typically better at sealing leaks on less than smooth surfaces. If your surface is pitted the rubber in itself typically seals better. But unless you want to easily remove/reinstall the thermostat or whatever, the cork with sealant should do just fine.

 

[DJ54]

I wish flat sheet gasket material was still a common item. Seems all I see in parts stores are the rolls. Learned 15-20 years ago to iron it out with an old used steam iron to make/keep it flat, but a PIA at times.

NAPA did carry flat sheets of stock, with an adhesive platic film covered side. Neat stuff, but pricey.

I probably tap out 90% of the gaskets I need, when doing simple repairs. Something I learned from a real mechanic 40 years ago.

 

[Mace Canute]

I came across this circle cutter quite a few years back and it works quite nicely for the few gaskets I have to make. It makes it a lot easier to make an inside circular cut.

It's really great if you want to make a circular gasket that looks like this

 

[LD1]

I almost never use gaskets anymore for things that normally have a paper gasket. Just use RTV and be done.

About the only "gaskets" I use anymore are heads, intake/exhaust, transmission pan, and valve covers and oil pans but only if stamped metal and require the thick rubber or cork. RTV dont work too well on stamped metal pans and valve covers that are designed to encapsulate a gasket. But machined oil pans and valve covers....RTV

 

[DJ54]

I can tell I'm old school. Had to replace the intake, to cyl. head gaskets this fall on the ole' '96 Z-71. Opened the pkg. and out tumble the manifold gaskets, and a small tube of RTV. Was ticked off, when I didn't see the valley gaskets. All else fails, read the small direction sheet. RTV WAS the valley gasket... Just used to seeing the "S" shaped gaskets from the old days.

 

[bigtiller]

Does anyone still make gaskets from an empty Wheaties box and a good dose of Permatex?

 

[DJ54]

The guy I bought a C-50 Chevy dump truck off of, about 25 years ago made one out of a Kelloggs Corn Flakes box, for the hydraulic pump. "Gasket" blew out, just as the bed started to lift. I had to shovel approx. 9 tons of concrete wash out off that truck. I was not a happy camper...

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Cork is old school but if it is gasket purposed material, go for it and just make sure your surfaces are clean and use some gasket sealant. Some say rubber is better and I tend to agree but mainly because the rubber is typically better at sealing leaks on less than smooth surfaces. If your surface is pitted the rubber in itself typically seals better. But unless you want to easily remove/reinstall the thermostat or whatever, the cork with sealant should do just fine.

A lot of gasses/fluids will leak horizontally through cork, it is not impermeable. I haven't seen a cork gasket for a long time. I agree RTV has become the standard. My mechanic uses it a lot when something comes w/o a gasket or a replacement gasket. Gasket material has to be suitable for the material it is trying to prevent leaking. Rubber compresses too much and unevenly; not good if the mating parts have to meet a torque standard. Rubber/neoprene types work good when constrained laterally like in a groove. My 2 bits.

Ron

 

[CaptFerd]

Does anyone still make gaskets from an empty Wheaties box and a good dose of Permatex?

Thats how I make em

 

[beaglebriar]

Man.. Can tell there's farmers here.

 

[bigtiller]

Thank you :thumbsup:

 

[4570Man]

Replied to the wrong thread.

 

[2458n]

Farmers with a hammer and a corn flakes box. First exposure to this was someone working on a old triumph motorcycle. It run when he was done.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Does anyone still make gaskets from an empty Wheaties box and a good dose of Permatex?

I use Cherrios and No.2 Permatex! -does that count

 

[MrGiggles]

Butter boxes are impregnated with wax and make excellent gaskets. Lay the material over the part and use a ball peen to tap around the perimeter. The sharp edge will cut a perfect outline.

I wouldn't use cork for anything, especially the cooling system. It only lasts a little while before hardening and breaking.