View single post by Judson Manning
 Posted: 03-17-2006 02:04 pm
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Judson Manning



Joined: 03-14-2005
Location: Atlanta, Georgia USA
Posts: 406
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 Mark points out the 'correct' way of determining which gasket to use via plastigage.  If your plastigage skills are limited, I've had luck with another 'low-tech' method.

Delta, et. al. sells the gaskets in a number of different sizes, I have a box with about a dozen or so in thicknesses ranging from .002"-.007".  Don't ever assume the .005" gasket supplied with the gasket set is correct, get several.

My 'method' is basically to assemble the pump with the smallest gasket I have and see if I can turn it easily by hand.  If it won't rotate, I install the next thicker gasket until the assembly rotates by hand.  As the gaskets come in .001" incriments, the experienced hand can find that sweet-spot between .0005"-.0015" fairly easily.

I do disagree a little with Mark about which dimension is 'most critical' as I spent years concentrating on the rotor-to-housing clearance (while overlooking the rotor-to-rotor clearance) and had chronic oil pressure problems.  Safe to say all three dimension are critical, and none should be overlooked.

You think I've been bitten by the rotor-to-rotor clearance thing a few too many times???