Making Gaskets

[Beebe4]

I seized up my Johnson 1976 25hp awhile back. I was able to get the exact power head from a vendor. Since I got the replacement I did all kinds of work, thermostat, rebuild, carb, fuel pump etc. I decided since its apart I should drop the lower unit, and change impeller. In doing so I had to remove a small door to undo shift lever. This has a gasket. Problem is I really don't want to order a $1.41 part and pay $8 for shipping. Can I use a silicone style gasket maker? If so what should I use? Also, there is no gasket between the lower unit and the upper/exhaust portion. Should I use the same gasket maker if any?
Thanks

 

[Vic.S]

There is no gasket between the gearcase assembly and the exhaust housing!


I'd not think the gasket under the cover plate critical if even necessary. Make one with whatever you have available if you cannot reuse the old one and order one next time you buy parts ( take it you mean #12 on the parts diagram)

 

[HighTrim]

I personally would not sweat it. There is water on both sides of that access panel anyways! Reuse what you have, or leave it with none. the motor will not notice a difference.

 

[bwkre]

If you really want a gasket, stop & pick up a piece of gasket paper from your local auto store. Thickness isn't critical, like cereal box thickness would be fine. Use the cover as a template and cut it out by hand with a knife. But like HighTrim & Vic.S said, it's not a critical seal.

 

[oldboat1]

might have a cosmetic issue when putting it up after running -- could get a little of that nasty looking exhaust goo sneaking out, and then may want to come up with something. I usually figure that's what shop rags are for.

 

[Chinewalker]

But, do NOT use the gasket goop on it. Would make it that much harder to remove the cover next time around...

 

[gm280]

I am extremely fortunate to have two niceties available for such things. We have a few printers and one of them is a combination FAX, Phone, Scanner and LASER printer. And if I have an old gasket that is questionable or even just a part of a gasket, I scan it in and then open a program called Corel Draw and take the scanned snapshot and trace the outline for that gasket to make a new one. Then I send it over to a LASER engraver and WALA instant new gasket. Yes, that is a lot of equipment to make a gasket. But I said all that to let you know you can make lots of gaskets with tracing them, or tapping even cereal box material with a little tap hammer around the opening to get the layout for making a new one. There are so many ways to make good quality gaskets without ordering entire gasket sets for one gasket. Most every auto parts store will have gasket material and you can buy that material really cheap. Obviously this doesn't help with head gaskets or extremely high heat gaskets, but all the others, no problem! JMHO!