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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Want to make my own gasket. What is gasket thickness and what is best gasket material. Looking at using NAPA 1/8" cork rubber gasket material which can be used for Sealing Oil, Coolant & Gasoline. Does this sound close?
John
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Sounds good. There is no pressure on the gasket and the thickness isn't important.
Gene Schneider
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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I'm not sure to what you're referring with the phrase "master cylinder cover" Do you mean the fill plug? I don't believe it (the fill plug) needs a gasket. The fill plug screws into the top of the master cylinder and is accessed below the grommet in the driver's side floor. The fill plug has a hole in the top of the plug anyway where XS will come out and where the cylinder can breathe. Of course, one must keep the fill plug and hole clean and this means the threads (male and female) too.
Do what you want and don't sweat it.
Lee Prairie
Last edited by Lee Prairie; 04/29/09 07:35 PM.
"It ain't what a man don't know that bothers me, it's what he knows that just aint so", Will Rogers
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The filler plug has either a copper or aluminum gasket.
Gene Schneider
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The gasket for the master cylinder cover (the piece that has the hole and filler plug) should NOT be made from cork. There is too much chance that some of the cork can break off and get in the master cylinder.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Jeepers - just keep the fill plug clean and the top of the master cylinder clean, and don't worry about it.
It serves no purpose if there is a gasket there.... if you want one, do it. If you don't care (like I do), then you understand what the gasket is for and you know that it isn't necessary.
So, again.... to quote William Shakespear (Ol' Bill) "to thine own self be true"
Lee Prairie
"It ain't what a man don't know that bothers me, it's what he knows that just aint so", Will Rogers
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YES! there is a need for a gasket on the top cover of the master cylinder, It keeps brake fluid from running out of the cylinder when it returns to the reservoir when the peddle is released or when the car goes around a corner. You do not want the brake fluid blowing back on the chassis of the car or truck. The reservoir should be kept full of brake fluid!
Life's a long winding trail, love Jesus and ride a good horse!
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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But, Mack, that is not the case. The fill plug has a hole in it that lets out the fluid and lets in the air. I don't see a reason to have a gasket. It isn't a sealed system. There is no point in a gasket....
Lee
"It ain't what a man don't know that bothers me, it's what he knows that just aint so", Will Rogers
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The cap is vented but has a baffle to prevent fluid leakage. If the fluid is filled to the correct level it will not reach the filler cap under normal conditions. It is possible though for water to reach the master cylinnder level (especially in passenger cars) and road splash for all vehicles. Under 99 percent of conditions it could be operated with no cap at all but certainly would not be advisable.
Gene Schneider
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I'm with MrMack.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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All
I would not advise running w/o a gasket on the cover. I am dealing with the aftermath of a leaking gasket. Rust, rust, and more rust. Brake fluid is nasty stuff. This is the only rust I have on the car which just annoys the heck out of me. I will be using a fibrous gasket designed for coolant. This should be the way to go. I am refurbing the wheel cylinders and hoses right now. So, I have not pulled the MC yet to check the current gasket. It looks lake the material should be fibrous based on the pictures that I have seen. I originally though that the pictures showed cork but I now believe that it was just light brown gasket material. I agree that cork would be bad if it broke off and got in the fluid. Although, it may float! I have had the plug off and it has a really ridiculously thin aluminum ring on it which I will have to buy pre-made.
Thanks for all of your answers.
John
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I have around four spare master cylinders two for a 51-52 and 2 for a 53-54. all had a black or brown paper type gasket. I bought a couple of master cylinder kits that included the cover gaskets, I also made a couple of cover gaskets from gasket material. I have another master cylinder that must have been aftermarket. It has a solid top cast into the master cylinder and had a larger than original screw in filler cap. The worse thing I have encountered is removing and replacing the master cylinder from a 53 standard shift parts car that has never seen a power washer in it's life (probably on many dirt roads).
You don't have to believe me, but if you don't really know anything about pre 55 Chevrolet cars and trucks I bet that just one time of not using a cover gasket will be enough.
Life's a long winding trail, love Jesus and ride a good horse!
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