Cylinder cover joints

[Malcolm]

Has anyone used "Instant Gasket" type material on steam engine cylinder end covers instead of conventional jointing sheet? I have heard some horror stories about the new non-asbestos jointing. I am talking of 2.5 inch diameter and steam at 100psi, moderately superheated. Alternatively, would "Hylomar" do the trick?

[alanstepney]

Why bother with the modern high tech, and expensive, materials?

In fact, you dont even need to use conventional jointing.
Ordinary plain brown paper (manila envelopes) works well, and for thicker gaskets, card from food packets is excellent. In both cases, soak in oil before use.

[Tel]

I agree AJ, either manilla envelopes or about 90/110 gsm printing paper is what I use. The beauty of the paper is that you can draw your sheet of gaskets in cad, print 'em out & cut to the lines - simple and sooooooo very effective.

[the_viffer]

The disadvantage of solid jointing materials compared with liquid gaskets is speed of preparation and fitting. With a solid gasket you have to cut out and make holes for fasteners. A liquid gasket you just squirt on to the joint face. I'd certainly be interested to know if they are suitable.

[waggy]

Aye up Malcolm,
I have used Golden Hermatite on my engines, no problems as yet. I contacted the manufacturer who advised the compound is stable up to 200 degrees Centigrade. We use Blue Hylomar at work but only on coolant systems at low pressure, not sure if it would be ok under pressure. The only snag with Hermatite is the ability to resist solvents, as far as I know cellulose thinners is the only thing that will desolve it, not much good if it gets onto painted surfaces! It will wipe off after a couple of days as it appears to dry out a bit but never hardens. Halfords sell it so easy to get hold of.

Good luck,

Dave.

[3405jimmy]

Malcolm

I have used the Loctite high temperature liquid gasket under the safety valve plate on my traction engine and it worked fine. I also used it under the base of the governor with similar results.

Jim

[denis M]

I have used the Loctite Flange sealer on my Romulus and it has never leaked in 12 years. I do not have any gaskets on the cylinders just flange sealer.

I have used it to seal all sort of things. For my 2 penny worth the stuff is good and not as messy as instant gasket.

I also use Loctite Thread sealer on my fitting etc with excellent results.

If you want I can give you the product code as I am going to a talk on Loctite products tomorrow.

[Malcolm]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your views. Denis M, yes please.

[denis M]

Malcolm,

To use in place of gaskets I use Loctite 574.

For fittings etc ie where they go into the back head or manifold I use Loctite 542 or for really coarse Loctite 577. I can only speak from experiance and both have served me well.

You can buy from a industrial company ie BSL or Blackgates, Bruce but not sure if Reeves do them but may be wrong.

Hope this helps.

[Malcolm]

Thanks Denis

[NarrowGauge]

When using the various Loctite products, is it necessary to use different solvents for their removal before remaking a joint? I ask, because often, two of our own main requirements are that the gasket material be heat and oil resistant. Is there a generic product that will clean and remove unwanted residual solution from mating surfaces?

Dave

[DaveBeaman]

I agree with AJ and Tel here. Manilla envelopes cut to size then smeared with graphite grease do for small fittings, cylinder covers I use a thin card, again coated with a smear of graphite grease. As long as the surfaces are clean, they seal for me, never had any bother. ..... Now thats tempting fate!!!!

Dave.

[denis M]

Narrowgauge,

In answer to your question, the two products I have mentioned I have had no problem getting them off the surfaces. The Flange sealer just peels off and the thread seal we just put more on.

Hope that helps.

[NarrowGauge]

Hi Denis

Thanks for the info, very often specialised solvents are required for so many products.

Thanks

Dave.