MTFCA Forum

The paper bowl ring gasket that came with the rebuild kit for my NH carburetor is too tight for the flange. If I try to stretch it enough to get it to fit the flange, it will rip. Is there a secret to getting it to expand enough to fit the flange? I don’t ever remember the ring gaskets being this tight. Years ago, they used fit the flange perfect. Why are they so tight now? Thank you. Jim Patrick

Maybe soak it gas or moisten with some oil? Also make sure the carb flange is smooth and clean. I used a fine file around the flange to smooth it up a little better.on mine. Moistening with oil helps a bit. It did on mine.

a little time in some water and it will be the size it's meant to be. It won't take long. At one time, that gasket WAS the right size...is't simply shrunk.

THIS IS WHAT I FUND OVER THE YEARS, THIN PAPER GASKETS WILL SHRINK IF NOT USED SOON AFTER THEY ARE MADE, THEY SET IN THE CONTAINER ON A SHELF SOME TIMES YEARS, CORK HAS THE SAME CONDITION, WARM WATER WILL BRING THEM BACK, BUT BE CAREFUL AS THEY WILL GO THE OTHER WAY FAST, IN THE CASE OF THE BOWL GASKET IF THIS HAPPENS SET IT ASIDE ON SOME PAPER, OR IF IT DID NOT EXPAND TOO MUCH SET IT IN PLACE ON A LEVEL BOWL.TRY TO AVOID THIS AS IT JUST TAKES MORE OF YOUR TIME, IT DON'T SEEM TO RE SIZE AS FAST AS IT EXPANDS.ITS A JOB YOU NEED TO ATTEND TO NOW! NO RUNNING OF TO DO SOMETHING ELSE. AS I REMEMBER THERE ARE THREE SIZE OF THIS ON THE FORD T CARBS, THEY LOOK THE SAME --THERE NOT. JUST A PIDDLE JOB YOU CANT HURRY. A TRICK THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, GET YOUR WATER READY [WARM LIKE YOU WOULD GIVE THE BABY] CAREFUL WHEN THIS TINY GASKET IS WET IT WILL TEAR EASY, SOAK IT A FEW SECONDS PLACE IT IN PLACE ,DON'T FORCE IT , A TIME OR TWO IT WILL DROP INTO PLACE, GET THE BOWL IN PLACE BEFORE EXPANDS TO FAR.

here is the way I do it:

Good luck
Andre
Belgium

Try a steamer, like you cook with. Dan

Thank you. All suggestions seem to revolve around soaking it in warm to hot water and working quickly before it shrinks. Makes sense. I will try this.

I wonder how many members here have broken the bowl gasket before learning of this technique. The gasket manufacturer should put this technique in the instructions. Anyone who has not been told of this would not know the necessity of it and would try to force the bowl gasket on without the proper preparation. Of course, being delicate paper, it will tear without expanding it as described above. Thanks again, everyone. Jim Patrick.

I believe it also has to do with the paper composition - I've ordered from different suppliers and some fit fine - some don't !

I cut my own using a compass fitted with an Exacto blade.

we make they grey ones that Potter uses also never shrink, Bob