Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am currently working on my distributor and there are two. The distributor-block gasket and the vacuum advance-distributor one. It seems like it is hard to purchase ready-made gaskets for such specific applications. So do you guys buy some type of sheet material and cut your own for things like this?

Sooner or later I'll be working on some other part of the car and will need a specific gasket so it would be faster and cheaper if I just make my own whenever possible. I have some Fel-pro Karropak gasket material and wondering if that paper-y stuff is good enough for using on distributor etc.

thanks

I bought a basic gasket paper assortment at one of the parts stores for less than $10. Kit had 9x9 sheets in several different materials and thicknesses. IIRC, there were two or three different kit assortments available covering basics of cork, fiber and exotic. The one I picked was a catch all with a sheet of cork, a couple of ordinary gasket materials and a sheet of a high tech stuff. So far it has covered my needs and would probably work for what you need for the dist. Anything larger like a water pump etc and you can get it by the roll or larger sheet.

I was thinking of using an 0 ring for dist, but I made a paper, I think the thickness is 1/32,

h is that right

An O-ring needs a groove in order to seat and seal properly. There is no groove on the distributor-engine hole. A thin paper gasket should work. No adhesive.

(o{}o)

It's thin paper I just installed the new one yesterday from the full gasket kit. you could basically use a 12 pack carton for it. if you want I can take it out measure and scan it for you.