TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer

On page K-1 of the Triumph TR 2 manual with the TR 3 supplement, there is a picture of the taken apart propellor shaft. Item 10 is a cork washer. No one offers it and the Stanpart catalog does not show it. It was there when I took the unit apart, it is basically a seal to keep the grease mostly in and on the splines. The attached picture shows the spline area of the drive shaft. My question is this: I have to slide that cork washer over the splines to get it on the shaft and into the proper position, how do I do that with out breaking the rascal? I will be making my own washer and I have plenty of material so I can experiment doing it. For instance:
Dry? Soaked in water? Soaked in some other fluid?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Tinkerman

Can you wrap it around in sheet form and bond it together?

I am afraid that I really don't know, but it is recommended to soak the cork seals for the carburettor in oil before fitting to help them seat properly. It certainly makes them more pliable too. I remember actually heating the oil which made the cork softer.
Having said that the seals didn't have to stretch over anything.

I cut a diagonal slit in the piece of cork I made for my 2's propshaft. It took several goes to get it sized correctly for best sealing. Soaking in oil overnight is definately a good idea though - the cork will easily split when you separate it sufficiently to pass over the splines elsewise!

Mine were slit diagonally too when I took the prop-shafts apart for cleaning. I might have used leather when I reassembled mine Basically this is a dust seal and is held in place when you screw on the metal cover.

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

I cut out the cork washer, slit it, oiled the shaft and soaked the washer and it slipped right on! Love it when it all works like it is supposed to.

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

Just a followup question as I'm about to do this with cork that Dick kindly provided. Do I understand that you slit the cork once you made the cork washer, or is it possible to slide it over the splines in one piece after soaking in oil overnight? Thanks, Mike

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

Man I just thought I was obsessive!
use a battery felt washer--
Emmett

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

Cut the cork ring on the diagonal, and all will be right.

I used graphite impregnated valve stem packing picked up at my local ACE hardware store. When I have to do this again, in 36 years, I will use the battery felt washer.

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

mgedit said:

Do I understand that you slit the cork once you made the cork washer, or is it possible to slide it over the splines in one piece after soaking in oil overnight?

Click to expand...

Nope, gotta slit it or it will break; no matter what/how long you soak it.

Valve stem packing works for me; just what I had on hand as I have a few water valves that occasionally need new packing (like the heater tap).

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

Not really obsessive at all ... just want to get the 6 back together, and had not thought of some of the alternatives. Good ideas.

I now have some 1/4 cork another list member sent me and am using that 'cause I have it. In case others are making a cork washer, here is how I finally decided to do it. I measured the size I needed, made a computer drawing of it, printed the pattern on a self adhesive label, stuck the label on the cork, and cut it out on my table-based scroll saw. Others have suggested cutting with xacto knife. I found it difficult to get my pencil and compass to mark on the cork, and I found the xacto knife a bit awkward. The scroll saw makes it very easy and neat. Cheers, Mike

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

Yep I slit mine, worked fine. Broke a couple trying the soak thing. Shoulda mentioned that earlier.

Cheers, Tinkerman

Re: TR 3 Propellor Shaft Cork Washer Final Note

I like the scroll saw idea. didn't think of that one.