Fuel level sender: what material for gasket?

Dec 11, 2008
1,338
catalina C27 stillwater
I am going to crack open my gas tank and suck out the 5+ year-old fuel in the next day or so. I want to be ready with a new gasket when it's time to button back up. What material have you guys used with good result?

I'm thinking any 1975-era gasket that might be there probably will not be able to be reused.

I've seen silicone used, with very bad results. So don't toss that out there. :)

Let me know your working solutions!
 
Apr 24, 2006
868
Aloha 32 Toronto, Lake Ontario
Gas or diesel? If diesel, most recommend "MOTOSeal 1 Ultimate Gasket Maker Grey" #29132 made by Permatex.
I used this for my new fuel sender and it works well. I would not use silicone as diesel will supposedly dissolve it.

Chris
 
Jan 30, 2012
1,140
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
PhilW

Avoid EDPM material. Nitrile (Buna N) is primo. Check with gasket making companies in your area - scrap is very useful and they will have have plenty. By the way - a kit of punches to make a neat passages for screws are available at the saddle maker. But a very good and complete package of several sizes of the same punches can be gotten at Harbor Freight ( $7). Made tens of gaskets with Harbor Freight punch kit.

Charles
 
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Dec 11, 2008
1,338
catalina C27 stillwater
Well. It's now... :). That was too easy. I am going to go back with the same material that got the boat here. Cork.

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$6.00 at Napa for a roll. I got a few other projects that can use some cork so they you go
 
Sep 23, 2009
1,475
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
I believe you buy them at WM and many marina stores. But now looks like your boat can boast a custom made gasket.
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
Gas or diesel? If diesel, most recommend "MOTOSeal 1 Ultimate Gasket Maker Grey" #29132 made by Permatex.
I used this for my new fuel sender and it works well. I would not use silicone as diesel will supposedly dissolve it.

Chris
an FYI.... gas will disolve silicone, but diesel will not.
silicone sealer can be, and has been used as an emergency repair product for a ruptured/perforated diesel tank.. some may feel this should only be a temporary "patch", but others have continued to use the temporary repair for years....

but with todays fuels and blends, viton or nitrile is about the best choice for fuel gaskets/seal, whether its gas or diesel.... you can buy both in sheet material and cut your own.

do a search for "gasket supply" and pick one thats close to your area.....

the cork is cheap but is not even close to the best choice, as it permeates and will harden in time... they are almost always a one time use, and do not always give a 100% barrier from sloshing fuel.
 
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