Hi,

I can't get a pan gasket for my Kohler K91 ( the replacement was discontinued in 2004 ).

So, I got some stuff from O'Reillys -- Karropak is the name, I think. Web references say go to NAPA, but NAPA only seems to sell stuff in an aerosol can these days.

Anyway, I'm wondering what might be good to useto mark it for cutting. I'm looking for something that I could put on the oil pan that would transfer to the gasket material. Seems like a good way to go if there's something that would leave a mice accurate mark.

Thanks,

hj

 

Any way to use the Make-A-Gasket stuff like Loctite offers?

Failing that can you use the pan itself as a template, trimming the sheet around it, marking bolt holes as you go?

When cutting lots of different sheet goods I've used utility knives, changing blades often or an X-Acto modeling knife. Both are more than sharp enough to take a slice out of a finger resting a bit too close!

 

I always used a light film of grease when we had to make gaskets for obsolete British motorcycles.
Use a leather punch (or make your own from a thin wall piece of tubing) for holes.
A smooth hardwood block is best to back it up.

 

I lay the gasket material on the part and use the flat side of a ball peen hammer to tap along the edges, marking the gasket material as it presses against the part. Use the ball end of the hammer to tap the bolt holes. This method is less effective on rounded-edged parts because it's the sharpness of an edge that creates the indentaion in the gasket material as you tap it with the hammer.
I've heard tales about using everything from chalk (powdered chalk, like you put in a carpenter's chalk line tool) to using a coat of lipstick on the pan then pressing the gasket material onto it.

 

Yes, good on a casting.
Not so successful on a stamping with rolled edges like a pan.

 

Thanks for all of the good ideas.

I've been advised to use actual gasket material because it needs to be at least .050". It's a Kohler and they have an oil dipper hanging off of the rod. Apparently they cut it pretty close on this one.

Some good news -- the pan is cast, so maybe err umm WhiskeyTF's plan will work out.

Also, I have enough material to screw this up a few times.

hj

 

Tapping it with a hammer or the grease method both work well, but with that stuff I would recommend sandwiching it between two pieces of wood for a day or so beforehand so it's not trying to curl up.
I usually have a roll or two of that stuff laying around, it's pretty handy.