Looking for helpful suggestions - I've just had to service the water pump on my 5" gauge loco, which is a bleedin' awkward thing to get at!

Now I need to put it back, and need a flat gasket between it and the frame (the old one had degraded). The design calls for 1/64" gasket material, and the pump handles only cold water. Output is against 80psi boiler pressure.

I have some basic automotive gasket sheet made from some form of card - would this do? Or is there some stuff that I could buy in the local motor factors that's more waterproof?

I don't want to use any silicon goo or similar - I'd rather use a proper gasket.

All suggestions welcomed...

David

Try the automotive gasket paper soaked in steam oil. This works on real locos!

Caber

I have used traditional gasket paper on all sorts of applications - oil & water. I prefer it to the silicone goo as it takes up small imperfections and is more reliable long term.

Klinger Jointing have an on line shop but some of the rolls sizes they sell are more suited to Sizewell B.

https://www.klingeruk.co.uk/shop/categories/search/sheeting


Frost sell small packs of automotive jointing papers

http://www.frost.co.uk/productList.asp?catID=56&frostCat=Gaskets%20&%20Sealers

A a low pressure feed pump at that of end of the spectrum just about any strong cartridge paper/thin card will work -- for example the outside cover of old style yellow pages directories, many marine engineers swear by making similar joints from old navigational charts.

It dosen't really have to be water proof because the compression of the joint will squeeze any water out.

Thanks folks - hadn't thought of oiling the card gasket! That saves me a fair bit of expense, not in the cost of the material, but in the petrol I'd use trying to find suitable stuff in the engineering wilderness known as Suffolk.

I need to get this fixed ASAP, as the loco is currently standing on end on a workmate in the garage, with a 'safety' rope lashed up between the other end and a roof beam. It's OK for the moment, but I don't want to risk it for longer than necessary!





[Edited on 25/5/07 by David Jenkins]