I'm getting several little projects tended to on Project 40, a 1986 VFR700F. One of these is to repaint the sprocket cover, slave cylinder and water pump cover. In the case of the sprocket cover, Honda specifies this gasket between the cover and engine case. I checked my parts stash and found my last one — and Honda no longer supplies them. Looking to the future, I decided to make a few more to have on hand, and the original will make a perfect template.
You can get all fancy and order a roll of gasket paper material off the interwebs, or just grab a discarded cereal box. In my case, this cookie box will work perfectly. After tracing the outline I simply cut out the shape with scissors or a sharp razor and form the holes with a paper punch. In about 20 minutes I had four new gaskets that fit great.
(click on an image to enlarge)
You can get all fancy and order a roll of gasket paper material off the interwebs, or just grab a discarded cereal box. In my case, this cookie box will work perfectly. After tracing the outline I simply cut out the shape with scissors or a sharp razor and form the holes with a paper punch. In about 20 minutes I had four new gaskets that fit great.
(click on an image to enlarge)
Don't have a new or old gasket to use as a template? No worries, just trace the part itself or use the old mechanics' trick of "tapping out" the edge with a hammer which will actually cut a sharp edge. Below is an in-depth Delboy video on this technique, including a primer on the use of gasket cement.
Personally, I rarely find the need to use any dressing on gaskets, but in the case of a homemade gasket it would be a good idea where the application is any sort of liquid pressure gasket, like an oil sump or alternator cover. OEM or aftermarket gaskets rarely require cement, and its use causes more work for the next guy. Having said that, I do like this Permatex Anaerobic Gasket Maker for tricky situations and when you really don't want to risk a leak. In this case, my sprocket cover gasket is installed dry.
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