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Thanks Gerard, the material is very ridged I may try to soften it by soaking it. If that doesn't work I'll just cut one out of gasket material that I have and use gasket cement on it also.
 
That's the Lucas kit, isn't it?

Rhodyspit75 said:
Thanks Gerard, the material is very ridged I may try to soften it by soaking it. If that doesn't work I'll just cut one out of gasket material that I have and use gasket cement on it also.
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Gerard, I think the one he has is simple cellulose gasket. I think the ones you are thinking of are a type of compressed synthetic bound material.
 
Ok I'm still having gasket problems. This time I had received a new differential gasket that was never going to fit. Since I was placing an order with another supplier I ordered another one. Same thing. I tried soaking it in oil but ripped it trying to get it over the studs.

I finally went out to the garage and grabbed some gasket material I had left over from the Spitfire. I made my own gasket and spread a thin smear of RTV on both surfaces. The material I had was slightly thicker the the paper thin ones is bought.
 
Well, let me update on the diff gasket that sent me off the handle in the first place with this post. Bill M was kind enough to send me several that he got from Paul A. These have been around for a while. I'm afraid the fitment issue was the same! I soaked one for a coupe of days in oil with now success so i soaked one in water for a couple of hours and that made it work. In the future I will cut my own but maybe the usual suppliers are not to blame on this item at least. Seems they haven't fitted for a long time. I have changed diffs in the past and don't remember gasket issues but then I don't remember lots of things!:rolleye:
 
I've not experienced this problem and bought new gaskets as recently as a few months ago. The simple workaround to avoid tearing the gasket by getting it on studs first, is to attach it to the diff housing first instead. I use Hylomar, so not only is repositioning easy, but once you have it where you what, it doesn't slip around while you're trying to install it like silicone does. I've not had the issue, but if a couple holes are slightly off, it would be easy to trim the holes the little that might be required, beforehand.
 
I tried putting it on the housing first it wouldn't come close to fitting. When I used my home made gasket I did what you recommend. I used a very thin smear of grey form a gasket. That worked fine. My only concern, and I'm probably over thinking this, is that the gaskets I bought were thinner than a paper bag. The one I made was thicker than a paper bag. I imagine that the tolerance in the rear end would want the differential to be in a specific location so that everything lines up.

I know im only talking a few thousands here but I'm wondering if that might be a problem.
 
Rhodyspit75 said:
I tried putting it on the housing first it wouldn't come close to fitting. When I used my home made gasket I did what you recommend. I used a very thin smear of grey form a gasket. That worked fine. My only concern, and I'm probably over thinking this, is that the gaskets I bought were thinner than a paper bag. The one I made was thicker than a paper bag. I imagine that the tolerance in the rear end would want the differential to be in a specific location so that everything lines up.

I know im only talking a few thousands here but I'm wondering if that might be a problem.
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don't forget that these cars were put together by British Factory Workers with cigarettes dangling out of their mouths. They measured tolerances with hammers and I suspect most couldn't even spell thousand much less measure it! (Not disparaging the British workforce here BTW - if nothing else SWMBO is a product of the British workforce - and come to think of it has very high tolerances :grin:smile: but these cars were slapped together then - as were pretty much all cars of that generation - and almost anything we do to them now is done at a higher standard than was originally.
 
Just a question. Are you certain you have the correct gasket for that diff?
If folks send you some that work, and they fit yours just as poorly, I am wondering if you might not have something different in your vehicle.
You never know what might have transpired in all these decades.
 
The stamping on the diff and the rear axel housing confirm they are original.
 
Gerard said:
I've not experienced this problem and bought new gaskets as recently as a few months ago. The simple workaround to avoid tearing the gasket by getting it on studs first, is to attach it to the diff housing first instead. I use Hylomar, so not only is repositioning easy, but once you have it where you what, it doesn't slip around while you're trying to install it like silicone does. I've not had the issue, but if a couple holes are slightly off, it would be easy to trim the holes the little that might be required, beforehand.
Click to expand...

Got to thinking on this, Gerard and wonder if the air humidity might have something to do with the difference. Here in the midwest in the winter the air is dry. I was stationed out of the bay when I was in the Navy. Low humidity isn't something you encounter there.
Kurt.
 
Nice gasket origami though. :wink-new:
 
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