Making a impeller paper gasket?

[pwilletts]

I need the thin "paper" gasket that comes with most impeller kits....but don't want/need a new impeller...can I make the seal ....out of what material....?

[Sailmonkey]

I've made several out of chart paper. It's sturdy and just about the right thickness. And the price is right.

[Stu Jackson]

There are different thicknesses of gaskets, just as there are different thickness of paper. I use STORE PAPER BAGS. Sometimes shopping bags (heavy and thick) sometimes small ones (hold a few nuts & bolts from West Marine). Your boat, your bag, your pump, your choice. I keep a variety of bags around...

[NoTies]

Quality chart paper should do the trick. Clamp the cover down tight and force the screws through the paper, cut around the cover plate, remove screws and there should be witness marks to cut out the inner section. Trying to do the screw holes last usually ends in tears

[lockie]

Since it will operate at very low pressure and ambient temperature, the "paper bag" solution will most likely work just fine.


I would think the main thing is not to have something too thick or the water will bypass around the impeller and reduce pump capacity, or too thin as it might hasten cover plate wear.


If you have a new original and a micrometer, you can
measure the thickness and make sure your DIY is about right, then buy suitable gasket paper from an auto spares place.


Cheers, Graeme

[Captsteve53]

Yep, those water pump gaskets are real thin to be sure, i normally use a loctite product 518 designed for metal to metal joints and have never had an issue with leaks or pulling apart when required,

I'm sure other shellac type gasket maker/sealant would work the same, just be prudent with the amount used so that it dosent run inside the internal housing, the original gaskets are so thin the additional compressing of the rubber impeller is negligible

Cheers Steve

[lamadriver]

Gasket paper ( keep a couple of thinknesses on board)

RTV gasket liquid

[Kokanee]

Any paper will do. A hole punch helps. Another way - if you have a small ball pien hammer, you can lay a bit of paper over the pump body and gently tap the edges to cut the paper to shape.

[tstano]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

There are different thicknesses of gaskets, just as there are different thickness of paper. I use STORE PAPER BAGS. Sometimes shopping bags (heavy and thick) sometimes small ones (hold a few nuts & bolts from West Marine). Your boat, your bag, your pump, your choice. I keep a variety of bags around...

A few years back a clerk asked me if I wanted a bag. I replied "No thanks, I married one." Well I didn't see my wife for the next two weeks, then the swelling went down in my right eye.

All U Get

[boeing1]

the gasket for my engine is extremely thin. I would think using too thick paper might case impeller clearance which could pump operation. just thinking here,,,,
and do not understand why the gaskets cost so much....

[The Way]

Originally Posted by pwilletts

I need the thin "paper" gasket that comes with most impeller kits....but don't want/need a new impeller...can I make the seal ....out of what material....?

I've used manila a file folder successfully.

Fair winds,
Jack

[oleman]

One of the most difficult tasks in creating do-it-yourself gaskets is getting the holes in the correct place and correct diameter.
Harbor Freight to the rescue. For less than $10 US you can purchase a transfer punch set and a hole punch set. Get some gasket paper from McMaster and a can of non-hardening gasket sealer (aircraft sealer) and you will be set for life.
In an emergency the green hanging file folders are strong and easy to work with. I have used them on heat exchanger flanges on the old Detroit.

[thruska]

Manila folder, hanging file, cereal box, shopping bag all good materials. Rtv, loctite , permatex gasket sealers all good.
My dad taught me the ball peen hammer trick. When we were repairing old water well pumps, cerealbox gaskets saved the day when gaskets were obsolete or the trip into town did not warrant the time or cost.
A recent axle gasket on my truck priced out at 14$, no way, granola box gasket, and 10 minutes .priceless !

[wjhutchings]

All you need is a cancelled British Admiralty Chart and a ball -pien hammer
Takes about half an hour

[DeborahLee]

Don't over it. If it leaks try again.