Leaky Fuel Bowl

Rod51M · Oct 7, 2012

Reasembled fuel bowl on my '51 M is leaking. It didn't leak previously and during restoration I took it off to clean. Rubber washer/gasket that sealed it seems in good shape so I reused it. Well, it isn't sealing anymore. If you look at the photo I attached, you'll see the seal (sticking out from underneath the filter) doesn't even come close to the edge of the aluminum housing. Seems too small to me and I would think that the seal should go out to the edge of the housing inorder to give the bowl a good surface to mate to.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I plan on opening the IH dealer tomorrow at 7:00 and picking up another seal - hope it's wider.

504 · Oct 7, 2012

They swell and they shrink. The best way I have found to reuse one is when you remove the gasket throw it in a tin can full of gas, but the ethanol has usually ruined them.

Rod51M · Oct 7, 2012

Thanks, I should have thought of keeping it in gas, but now it has been about 6 months that it's been dry.

charlieu · Oct 7, 2012

Go get a new gasket, There are two different sizes, one for the short bowl. The gasket measures 2 inch OD. There also is one for the long bowl, measures 2 1/8 OD You need the larger one for the M. The IH part number for the gasket is 355888R1.

uncle henry · Oct 7, 2012

i use cork i have had better luck with it than rubber

Achodges1 · Oct 7, 2012

Have used both rubber and cork. Even made one in a pinch from a large o-ring ( still useing it ). If all the dealer has is rubber I would go on line and order cork. Does much better with the "new improved" gasoline. I even replaced the rubber seal on the new gascap with cork.

teddy52food · Oct 7, 2012

There is a non-hardening silicone made by Dow-Corning that works good. Molykote 111. I haven't used a new gasket for many years unless I tear one. It stays soft & gas doesn't affect it. Good on gas line fittings too.

old · Oct 7, 2012

If you have an O'Reilly's auto part close by they sell the cork type fuel strainer gasket for around $1.25 and it is part number 398. I keep a bunch of them on hand just for that problem

gene bender · Oct 8, 2012

If the ethanol screws them up how come all my tractors with the rubber gaskets dont leak. Maybe you just got one from a supplier who sold cheap stuff. Been getting my rubber ones from NAPA for many yrs on many tractors that i have worked on ect.
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Leaky Fuel Bowl

Rod51M

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504

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Rod51M

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charlieu

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uncle henry

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Achodges1

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teddy52food

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old

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gene bender

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