Old Dry Gaskets

Trelpdx

Trelpdx

Senior Member
Guys,

I have an old engine gasket set that I'm now getting around to installing. The oil pan gaskets have shrunk considerably where most all of the holes are progressively off alignment. It is a paper type gasket. Is there a trick to getting them stretched back out?

Thanks much,

Peder
 
Trelpdx said:
Guys,

I have an old engine gasket set that I'm now getting around to installing. The oil pan gaskets have shrunk considerably where most all of the holes are progressively off alignment. It is a paper type gasket. Is there a trick to getting them stretched back out?

Thanks much,

Peder
Click to expand...

Soak them in water. Lay them out flat in a shollow pan or the bottom of a flat sink and cover them with water. Let them soak for a few minutes or so and they usually will re-gain their shape. This also works well for cork gaskets. Cork sometimes takes a little longer. We would even would soak metal head gaskets with asbestos in them before installation.

I have been doing this for more then 50 years with old gaskets.

I hope this helps.

Chris
 
CWPASADENA said:
Soak them in water. Lay them out flat in a shollow pan or the bottom of a flat sink and cover them with water. Let them soak for a few minutes or so and they usually will re-gain their shape. This also works well for cork gaskets. Cork sometimes takes a little longer. We would even would soak metal head gaskets with asbestos in them before installation.

I have been doing this for more then 50 years with old gaskets.

I hope this helps.

Chris
Click to expand...
I second what Chris said. But I can only claim 45 yiears
 
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