Leaky Holley 1904 float gasket

[Daves55Courier]

I knew I shouldnt have applied BLUE RTV gasket maker to that holley 1904 glass float bowl gasket, but I didnt see any other choice. The gasket leaked all the gas out of the float bowl in a weeks time of sitting (also ruining the red paint on my intake manifold), so I had to do something. I made two new gaskets out of gasket material and applied a very thin coat of BLUE between them. I smashed em together and carefully scraped off all visible excess before installing. After assembly, I let it set up for 48hours and tightened the screws a little more.
It worked perfectly. No more leak. Three weeks later, some BLUE RTV material has come loose and is clogging up the jet so it wont run unless I push and release the accellerator repeatedly. I can even see a couple of pieces of the dislodged BLUE RTV in the bottom of the float bowl.
It still doesnt leak, but now she's clogged. Seems like you cant win.
I dont know of any product that doesnt warn not to place in direct contact with gasoline.
Anybody else have this problem, how did you overcome it successfully

 

[JackFish]

I don't have your carb, but I have used Permatex Form-a-Gasket, No. 1BR.
It doesn't say anything about gas on the tube, but it is really sticky brown stuff.
I wouldn't use anything on the gasket unless it was being used to temporarily correct a leak that existed before using anything. If it leaked before, it may be a warped or damaged mating surface.

 

[Daves55Courier]

Theres no warpage or cracks in the housing. The glass bowl is perfect too. I just looked at it again and I can see a large area of BLUE RTV bubbling at the top of the gasket that wasnt there a couple hours ago. So theres definitely a reaction going on.
Im using 1/32 inch thick black gasket paper to make the gaskets, but what I really want is a gasket material thats made of at least 1/16 inch rubber thats safe for contact with gasoline. It should provide a leakproof seal without form-a-gasket.
Anybody know where something like that is available?

 

[Anonymous]

Greetings Daves55,
I have this same issue, the gasket leaks and seems to want to be replaced on a yearly basis! I have found that the cork gasket is the only thing that seals properly. Using a paper gasket will not stop leaking at all. The use of any type of sealant will be ok, until the gas reacts with the sealant and becomes soft.

MrBlue

 

[Daves55Courier]

I just went down to Autozone and bought a sheet of cork faced rubber sheet material 1/8 inch thick. Thats the perfect thickness for installing my glass float bowl. I got some new Exacto blades and had a new gasket cut out 5 minutes after I got home with the stuff.
Hopefully the gasoline wont penetrate the cork facing and start deteriorating the rubber.
Nice gasket material, though, even if it may not be a good application for this.
I'll know soon enough. One way or another, I will find a way to make it leak-free.

 

[Anonymous]

Fast drying sealant dries to a highly tacky, non-brittle film. A reliable general adhesive. Temperature range -65°F to 500°F; resists gasoline, oil, antifreeze, axle lube.

 

[Daves55Courier]

Drove around for several hours tonight with the new cork-faced gasket installed on the glass float chamber bowl. Jumped out several times to check for leaks. So far, no leaks and she's running as good as ever.

Never seen that type of permatex. I'll have to try to find some of that so I can use it on my spare carb gasket. It looks like the kind that has one of those big fuzz-ball applicators. That wont do at all. I think I will use an old modelling brush to apply it to the gasket. Hey Keefer, do you know if that stuff is available in a tube also ???

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, it also comes in a tube. The can has a brush, but its 1/2" wide. Won't do for tight work.
I prefer the can over the tube, as I can't squeeze a tube without getting it on my fingers. Don't know why, must be genetic.