The Steamboating Forum

I have finished the restoration/conversion of my Sisson compound from an experimental to marine engine. Now I am preparing to strip it down and build it into my hull ready for comissioning. I have previously used oiled paper gasket made by Walkers however this seems to have resulted in minor corrosion at the joints. It's as though the gasket paper is slightly acidic which has turned the mating surfaces black. A friend who has been running a large steam boat for decades suggested I don't bother with gaskets on most joints and on critical joints use a small bead of high modulus silicon sealant.

I'm pretty sure I am going to follow the advice I was given but before I do, does anybody have any other thoughts on the subject.

I run a thin cardboard-style automotive gasket and I use "never-seize" as a gasket goo.The reason for this is if I have pull the engine apart at sea the gasket is reusable [nothing sticks or causes the gasket to tear] Also I pull the heads every winter and I've yet to have to make another gasket! I pack extra gasket material on the boat and just about anything else I might require and of course I never need it! But just wait til I leave it at home! Murphies Law will prevail Den

farmerden wrote:I run a thin cardboard-style automotive gasket and I use "never-seize" as a gasket goo.The reason for this is if I have pull the engine apart at sea the gasket is reusable [nothing sticks or causes the gasket to tear] Also I pull the heads every winter and I've yet to have to make another gasket! I pack extra gasket material on the boat and just about anything else I might require and of course I never need it! But just wait til I leave it at home! Murphies Law will prevail Den

Like Den, I live in the Pacific NW of the USA where "red skin" is caused by RUST, not sunburn. I've used the same technique for 35 years from a 3" + 6" x 4.5" compound to a 8" + 16" x 8" Sisson. Absolutely no problems. "Neverseize" is where it's at.

farmerden wrote:I run a thin cardboard-style automotive gasket and I use "never-seize" as a gasket goo.The reason for this is if I have pull the engine apart at sea the gasket is reusable [nothing sticks or causes the gasket to tear] Also I pull the heads every winter and I've yet to have to make another gasket! I pack extra gasket material on the boat and just about anything else I might require and of course I never need it! But just wait til I leave it at home! Murphies Law will prevail Den

Never-Seize or I prefer FelPro C5-A(copper base). Twenty years of ship mechanicin' taught me to use it everywhere. Nothing rust or sticks when treated with C5-A, even 20-year-old automotive exhaust manifold bolts come right out IF they were put in
with C5-A.

That's correct it even works on what it was supposed to!! I remember lying in the mud removing a Cat D8 bellypan with handtools [we didn't have airtools them] and thanking the guy who put it together the last time for using the stuff! Tough to get off your fingers but its nice to spin a big bolt off by hand! Mind you that was in the "old days" when men where men! Now i'm just an old fart! Den

Thanks for all your advice, I have looked it up here in the UK and come up with this NEVERSEEZ REGULAR NS160 1LB FLAT TOP CAN (MEETS MIL-A-907, PWA 36053-2.) The spelling is a bit different but would you say this is the right stuff?

Tunneltug wrote:Thanks for all your advice, I have looked it up here in the UK and come up with this NEVERSEEZ REGULAR NS160 1LB FLAT TOP CAN (MEETS MIL-A-907, PWA 36053-2.) The spelling is a bit different but would you say this is the right stuff?

Yep that's the stuff! It's hard to wash out of clothes and off your hands so be careful.

Ever see a steamer wearing white?

farmerden wrote:Ever see a steamer wearing white?

The crew on Pinnace 199 does... Had a chance to ride on her and play in the engine room back in 2004.. What a beautiful vessel.

Nice shot Wes! OK OK ever see me wearing white? Den