Carburetor gaskets

Mtjohnso

Member
I just pulled the carb off my IH350 and pulled it apart to clean it. The main gasket got damaged taking it apart.
Anyone use gasket RTV to help seal a gasket back up. Don’t want to buy a whole kit for one gasket and wait for it to come. Other possibility is to make a new gasket just that requires patience and a steady hand either a sharp knife.
 
I just pulled the carb off my IH350 and pulled it apart to clean it. The main gasket got damaged taking it apart.
Anyone use gasket RTV to help seal a gasket back up. Don’t want to buy a whole kit for one gasket and wait for it to come. Other possibility is to make a new gasket just that requires patience and a steady hand either a sharp knife.
RTV is the LAST stuff you want to use where there's constant fuel exposure.

It really isn't too tough to make a new gasket with a scissors, Exacto knives and a cheap set of hollow punches from Horror Freight or the like. Most auto parts stores will have gasket material.
 
get your gasket paper out and start pounding out a gasket. i have made a lot of them gaskets. definitely no goop on a carb gasket ! i do use high tack spray as it helps soften the gasket. nothing is also good.
 
I made a gasket from a saltine cracker box couple weeks ago and no problem since. I second the motion about staying clear of rtv around carburetors.
 
I'll be the odd man out here, If you have the complete gasket that has damage I would try the RTV, using just enough to reform the gasket where the damage is. I say this not knowing what the old gasket looks like, I think using your own judgement there will suffice.
 
I have one of those cheap harbor freight hole punch sets as well and have made ALOT of holes with it.

Heavy scissors work well I’m not sure what the actual name is kitchen scissors maybe the coop gave some away a few years ago I’m not sure what they are called

Draw it out then I would cut the inside first with the razor then the outside with the scissor. Then pop the holes that way you aren’t trying to cut with the razor on a little gasket

I’ve found rtv that has made it down to the intake valve stems before on a 2 cylinder. It has its place don’t get me wrong but especially intake side of little engines is not it. At the very least spray the joints down with ether when you are done to check for leaks. If you find a leak the rtv was not faster nor cheaper nor EASIER. You get to do it all over again.
 
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I just pulled the carb off my IH350 and pulled it apart to clean it. The main gasket got damaged taking it apart.
Anyone use gasket RTV to help seal a gasket back up. Don’t want to buy a whole kit for one gasket and wait for it to come. Other possibility is to make a new gasket just that requires patience and a steady hand either a sharp knife.
RTV is NOT good for contact with gasoline. The knife and the steady hand are your best option. The screw holes are the hardest part. You can use a paper hole punch for those.
 
Permatex #2.
Guaranteed to be used in gasoline environments, stays somewhat pliable. If you want a hard set then use #1. I learned of it when a teen just starting to fool with engines...and its still here......survived the test of time.......definition of a quality product as I see it.

It works on auto transmission oil pans too....just clean both surfaces and only Permatex (#2) one side. I put it on the pan, then the gasket all lined up and pressed gently against the glue then carefully installing the pan.....usually started a couple of bolts on opposite corners and run it up finger snug then install the rest of the bolts. Tighten bolts till you see glue oozing out. You don't want to deform the cork. Never had this installation method leak whereas everything else I tried never held.

Course that was back in the day. When I bought my 2011 Silverado, you had 100,000 miles before you had to think about it. I guess GM OEM franny fluid, like their differential oil, is synthetic and doesn't break down like dyno oils do.
 
I have one of those cheap harbor freight hole punch sets as well and have made ALOT of holes with it.

Heavy scissors work well I’m not sure what the actual name is kitchen scissors maybe the coop gave some away a few years ago I’m not sure what they are called

Draw it out then I would cut the inside first with the razor then the outside with the scissor. Then pop the holes that way you aren’t trying to cut with the razor on a little gasket

I’ve found rtv that has made it down to the intake valve stems before on a 2 cylinder. It has its place don’t get me wrong but especially intake side of little engines is not it. At the very least spray the joints down with ether when you are done to check for leaks. If you find a leak the rtv was not faster nor cheaper nor EASIER. You get to do it all over again.
I too have those gasket hole punches. I work on a few small engines and dont have the time or money to order and wait for gaskets to show up. I have rolls of gasket material on hand and make almost all my gaskets. You become very good at it.
 

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