Someday soon I'll be ready to reassemble the rear end of my TT. Is there a particular thickness of gasket paper I should use when bolting the halves of the housing together?
Leave that paper gasket on the bench. Just run a bead of RTV around the pumpkin and allow it to set up. No leaks.
If you decide to use a gasket, it would be much easier to order one that's ready to install. They're avaialable from most of the vendors and not very expensive.
I allways clean the surface the gasket meets,spray it with bright paint,while wet set it on the paper and apply even pressure.There should be a good imprint of the needed gasket on the paper.
I bought 1 complete gasket set and use them for patterns.The only gaskets I buy new are the head gaskets.
If your are going to use a gasket in the final assembly, make sure you use one when setting up the various clearances. Otherwise you'll be building in excess clearance.
I would go with Jack, but if you do use a gasket, use a very thin one and follow David's advice.
Mike
I'm with Jack.I just built a rear end and used the good engine type RTV. It's easier to set up the clearances with out messing with the gasket. If your tolerances are on the tight side and you over tighten the rear halves, you'll compress the paper gasket and could end up with things on the very tight side. You can't over tighten the halves with RTV. Make sure the axle housing halves fit together flush before installing the internal parts. The other plus with RTV is it's not going to leak.
An easy way of making gaskets is to lay the gasket paper over the housing and with a ball peen hammer find one of the bolt holes. Tap the paper with the ball end of the hammer and a hole will appear. Drop a bolt in to hold it in place and do the same with a second hole, keeping the paper flat. Now tap the paper at the edge of the housing and it will cut the paper as tapping continues around the housing. Do the rest of the holes also.
You don't even have to tap the edge. Just rub the flat face of the hammer along the sharp edge of the housing, and it will cut the paper. The same works with masking tape when you're getting ready to paint.
Respectfully, Steve said this is a TT rear end. There are no clearance settings. But a thin gasket or RTV is best.