Water pump gasket 1986 Alpha One

[astronutski]

I bought a waterpump kit for my 1986 Alpha One. The gasket included for the base is about 1/8" diam too small. I don't want to force it on for fear of ripping it, it is mighty fragile looking.

Also even if it did go on there isn't a cutout for the corner pin. There isn't enough material in that area of the gasket to make one either. That would rip the gasket in two.

My question is, can I reuse the old gasket? Is this a critical part? I know it's sucking in water for the cooling system, so air in there would be bad. Also, in addition to that, the original gasket is ripped in the straight edge (in the area where the exhaust gases will be). Can I salvage the orig gasket with Johnson/Evinrude gasket compound?

Obviously I don't want to get stranded somewhere from a stupid mistake, is this one of those potential mistakes?

Thank you!

 

[Watermann]

I haven't had the need to try this on my Alpha One but on my Johnson OB I had the same issue and just used black gasket maker and it sealed up perfectly. I wouldn't use an old torn gasket. If you use the gasket maker then be sure the surface is very clean and wiped clean with solvent. Don't over do the application of the gasket maker.

 

[Bt Doctur]

left to right 1,2,3,4,5
1,3,and 4 go below the base 2 and 5 go above the base between the SS wear plate

 

[astronutski]

left to right 1,2,3,4,5
1,3,and 4 go below the base 2 and 5 go above the base between the SS wear plate

I probably wasn't clear the first time, I am talking about the gasket UNDER the BASE. I do understand the sequence of three above the base/under the cap.

I'm heading out tomorrow to work some more and I'll take pics, and see if any of the other gaskets fit. But at this point I don't know whether to order another "kit" but it would likely include the same too small under base gasket. It is the GLM kit.

I'll get more details tomorrow, thanks.

 

[astronutski]

I haven't had the need to try this on my Alpha One but on my Johnson OB I had the same issue and just used black gasket maker and it sealed up perfectly. I wouldn't use an old torn gasket. If you use the gasket maker then be sure the surface is very clean and wiped clean with solvent. Don't over do the application of the gasket maker.

So I should toss the old gasket and just build one by coating the housing with gasket compound (not too much) and sinking the base onto that?
Thank you.

 

[Watermann]

I only did the gasket maker because I was pressed for time and had a fishing trip planned but I know it does work in that application . If you have the time I would order the correct OEM gaskets.

 

[Swimforshore]

Definitely get the right gasket do not reuse a torn gasket. gasket maker is ,a sub par fix

 

[astronutski]

Ok guys thank you. I was wrong and had misplaced (put in a safe place) that under base gasket. There is only one in the kit that will fit the big hole of the under base. I had it away from the rest of the gaskets for some reason LOL. Thanks and sorry for the false alarm.

 

[Bt Doctur]

There is only ONE base gasket used 1 ,3 ,or 4 depending on the application. 2 and 5 get sandwitched between the SS wear plate

 

[astronutski]

There is only ONE base gasket used 1 ,3 ,or 4 depending on the application. 2 and 5 get sandwitched between the SS wear plate

Thanks, that's what I had suspected after all the research, and is exactly what I did, water pump done!

 

[Watermann]

Ok guys thank you. I was wrong and had misplaced (put in a safe place) that under base gasket. There is only one in the kit that will fit the big hole of the under base. I had it away from the rest of the gaskets for some reason LOL. Thanks and sorry for the false alarm.

That's good news :thumb: