1940 clam shell

Yes, there are two different gaskets associated with those clam shell halves, that hold the bell end of the torque tube to the back of the transmission, that must be in place or you will have some serious leaking problems.
 
Speaking of these gaskets, what is the best sealer for this application? I know the surfaces need to be squeaky clean and flat, permatex#2 ???????
 
Can I buy the gaskets or do I need to get gasket material and make them. Also should the gasket be a certain thickness?
 
Seems like there should be thick soft gaskets for between the flanges on the two halves where they bolt together.
 
The authentic seals (there are two pieces) were cork. After the cork seal(s) are installed in the respective housing, the ends are cut a bit on the long side. The fasteners will pull the ends together creating an adequate seal.
I place a small amount of RTV on the ends (only). A smear of grease on the remainder of the cork does the trick.
The gaskets are readily available from Carpenter, C&G, etc.
 

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OK, what sealer would you use for the B-4516 gaskets pictured above when installing transmission clamshell to torque tube?
 
I do the cork seal slightly different than Kube describes above. I put the full uncut length of cork seal (or sometimes rubber tubing), centered into the groove of lower half of the two piece housing. Then temporarily bolt housings together and work the upper ends of cork into place, while trimming the ends a little if necessary, so they meet with some interface at top center of upper housing. Then take the housing halves apart, apply a light coating of grease to the full length of the cork, on all four sides, and relocate the cork back into the lower half again. Then put that half in place behind the trans and up against the bell at front of torque tube, and hold it in place with two of four nuts. Then carefully start the upper half of the housing in place while guiding the ends of the cork into their locating groove. When the upper housing is in place, bolt the halves together, and screw the the other two nuts in place. With the cork (or rubber tubing) gasket installed like this, I believe it provides a better seal that's less prone to leaking.
 
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I have a 1933 with a 1 piece clam shell, will be using the rubber tubing, just curious about what sealant to use for the gaskets.
 
We use Indianhead or similar gasket shellac on both sides of both gaskets, kinda old time stuff but does the job. On the ends of two piece bells we do a little more modern approach with touch of silicon on the mating surfaces. Still believe in the cork strips rolled into the grooves.
 
You can use a non hardening sealant but the trick is to make sure the mating surfaces are flat, the gaskets are very thin... expect it to leak in time.. it's fine you'll know the uni is getting some oil ; )
 
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