gasket sealent

S

skeazle

Senior Member
I just took the Zenith carb apart to replace the large paper gasket. Do I have to put some stuff on it like Permatex to seal it properly? Thanks
 
Gasket sealants are like glue, make subsequent disassembly difficult and leave a hard residue that must be scraped off the mating surfaces. Don't use sealant!
 
Old mechanic’s method: I used to put a thin layer of grease on the top and bottom gasket surfaces,just in case there was a scratch or nick on one of those surfaces, thinking that since they weren’t pressurized that might stop any leaks. But I eventually learned that wasn’t necessary. The gaskets seem to be adequate.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I finally found the problem with my leaking gas. It isn't the old paper gasket but the stupid Chinese made fuel shut off valve letting gas in to the carb even though it is shut off. I pulled the gas line off the carb and over night it dripped a little too much gas into my container. Shouldn't the shut off valve totally shut off the gas and not let any keep flowing out? I think I just replaced this valve two years ago and it was great as far as being able to turn easy but now it has gotten real difficult to turn. I think if I have to replace this every couple of years I'll just sell it. It's not a hard job but it's very frustrating.
 
skeazle said:
Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I finally found the problem with my leaking gas. It isn't the old paper gasket but the stupid Chinese made fuel shut off valve letting gas in to the carb even though it is shut off. I pulled the gas line off the carb and over night it dripped a little too much gas into my container. Shouldn't the shut off valve totally shut off the gas and not let any keep flowing out? I think I just replaced this valve two years ago and it was great as far as being able to turn easy but now it has gotten real difficult to turn. I think if I have to replace this every couple of years I'll just sell it. It's not a hard job but it's very frustrating.
Click to expand...

How much crud inis in your gas tank? Rust and such will scratch the valve and make it hard to turn.

Selling your car is a little extreme if you enjoy your Model A at all. How about installing a ball valve from Bratton's instead? https://www.brattons.com/30-31GAS-LINE-WITH-SHUT-OFF-VALVE/productinfo/13350/

FWIW, Bratton's tank shut off valve https://www.brattons.com/FUEL-SHUT-OFF-VALVE-UNDER-THE-GAS-TANK/productinfo/13160/ is Made in USA and Bratton's (as far as I know) is the only vendor to offer a 3 year warranty.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Ruth. I'll look in to getting that cause that is what happened to my last valve. It eventually got so hard to turn.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top