Posted by Matt Wilson [108.162.221.32] on Monday, October 09, 2017 at 14:17:17 :
I'm working on the steering box in my '49 Power Wagon, and I'm at the point where I'm trying out different gasket thicknesses under the front plate/cover that retains the worm gear and its bearings. VPW doesn't sell gasket kits for these anymore, and recommended I make my own.
I have gasket paper stock in 1/32" and 1/64" thicknesses. The 1/64 by itself is too thin and results in way more than the 5 - 10 in-lbs of pre-load that my '48 - 49 Dodge Truck shop manual specifies, but if I add a 1/32 gasket to the 1/64, then the pre-load is too small (as in none). Considering that my 1/64 gasket material actually measures about 0.012" thickness (not 0.016 as expected), I think what I need is some material that is about 0.005 or 0.006" thick to add to the 1/32. I can't seem to find that thickness anywhere. Looked at Grainger, McMaster-Carr, MSC, various auto parts stores, Amazon, Google search, and found nothing. So....does anyone here know where I can find such thin gasket material?
Alternatively, has anyone used regular office paper, such as printer paper, for gaskets? I think one or two sheets added to the 1/32 vegetable fiber stock that I have would be just right. A Google search produced only limited results from a couple of people saying they had successfully used printer paper with no issues, so I thought I would ask you guys.
Thanks.
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