To gasket or not to gasket

Oldenginerod Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:47 am

I wonder if anyone knows for sure.

When installing a plastic backplate on a reed engine which has the flanged type reed retainer, do you only fit a gasket between the retainer and the crankcase? If so, wouldn't it potentially suck air between the retainer and backplate? Thumbs Down

Also, I have the same concern about the steel exhaust deflectors which mount between the tank/backplate and crankcase. Should you use a gasket each side of the deflector? Huh...

Rod.

pkrankow Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:12 am

"yes"

One must use a gasket between the case and retainer.

You may also use a gasket between the retainer and back plate (yes, 2 gaskets) but this is not generally necessary.

If sealant is used make sure it is aluminum safe.

Phil

Oldenginerod Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:01 pm

pkrankow wrote:
You may also use a gasket between the retainer and back plate (yes, 2 gaskets) but this is not generally necessary.

Phil

I would have thought that a gasket between the retainer and backplate would increase the clearance for the reed, possibly causing it to "float". Has anyone had any experience with this?

**RknRusty** Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:45 pm

Some came from Cox with no gaskets and ran fine. Others came with gaskets. Some seem to need them. It's one of those things that you do to suit each individual engine. Neither of my two NIB Black Widows came with a gasket. One had the famous shallow threads bored into the crankcase and a gasket helped for a while. I eventually Permatexed it, and later tapped it more deeply, which is the real answer. I prefer no gaskets if possible.
Rusty

**Cribbs74** Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:56 pm

Reed "float has to do with RPM. Once a certain RPM is achieved the reed can no longer function as designed.

If you look closely the plastic reed retainer has a lot of space to allow the reed to move in and out freely. Adding one more gasket will not make a difference.

Edit: I originally wrote gasket float lol!

in the beginning of this message, I meant to say reed float.

Sponsored content

To gasket or not to gasket

To gasket or not to gasket

Re: To gasket or not to gasket

Re: To gasket or not to gasket

Re: To gasket or not to gasket

Re: To gasket or not to gasket

Re: To gasket or not to gasket