what gasket material for cylinder base?

[wsg]

Looking to adjust my compression on the 372. What materials are good gasket replacements? I searched a little and saw: aluminum can gaskets, And i beleive manila folder gaskets?

Just wondering what was reccomended from the builders here.

Thanks!

 

[JustinM]

I believe the manilla folder paper is the most popular around here. I am always chicken with this stuff (and dont ever mod things beyond a simple muffler mod anyway) so I usually just stick to the $5 or $10 gasket kits for the specific saw Im working on.

You could always just get the "real" gasket sheets too..although I think some people consider that cheating

 

[Roanoker494]

Get a sheet of 1/64" fiber/rubber gasket material from a local auto parts store, comes in a 10"x26" roll for around $5.

EDIT:
I have seen Grandpa make valve cover and oil pan gaskets out of a corn flakes box.

 

[mdavlee]

If it's like the last few 372s I've messed with a little sealer is all you need. The squish will still be above .020" without a gasket.

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

Permatex 518 should work ok for what you want to do.

 

[Brian13]

Soda can will work too.

 

[komatsuvarna]

If it's like the last few 372s I've messed with a little sealer is all you need. The squish will still be above .020" without a gasket.

I agree. If no machining has been done it should be well above .020, but you need to be sure.

 

[woodgrenade]

Three bond 1194

ThreeBond : Product Information : 1100 series : 1194

 

[nmurph]

Yamabond 4 if nothing is needed.

Aluminum cans are good for .003-.004

Gasket material in the thickness you need.

Yes, many have used manilla paper coated with gasket shellac or a Permatex spray gasket maker.

 

[Brian VT]

...it should be well above .020, but you need to be sure.

Yup. You shouldn't assume that you can use a thinner gasket.
Check the squish and that will tell you what thickness your gasket, if needed, should be.

 

[67L36Driver]

I agree. If no machining has been done it should be well above .020, but you need to be sure.

+2 Just some gasket cement on the few I've done.

I check squish with rectangular toothpicks. 'Glue' three or four lengths to the top of the piston with bearing grease and roll the crank thru a cycle holding the cylinder in place by hand.

 

[Brian VT]

I check squish with rectangular toothpicks.

They're not too springy ? I wouldn't think they'd give a very accurate reading. I was told to use rosin core electrical solder from Radio Shack, fwiw.

 

[motoman.5150]

nothing at all metal to metal have only come across 1 that leaked a little my 2171 has nothing in it, been that way for a long time and no trouble it also has over 180 lbs. compression