Which Diff Gasket?

[AlfaLofa]

Which diff gasket should be used - the thin or the heavy duty?

I copied the image below from the Larkworks Engineering website:

http://www.englishdiff.com/gaskets/ford ... d_120.html

They don't say don't use the heavy duty gasket on Lotus applications - but ......

And which "glue" would you use?

[512BB]

Answer.............no diff gasket Steve.

Most prof. diff builders do not use a gasket nowadays, they are a thing of the past in this application. Just apply a bead of good quality RTV silicone all around the iron face, including the holes, and a good dollop on the bolt threads, and bolt it up. Obviously all surfaces to be clean and grease free, and Bob's your uncle.

I use Granville RTV silicone, get it on Ebay.

Leslie

[vernon.taylor]

Salut Steve

I took Leslie's advice but haven't done enougn kilometres to give a definite thumbs up. I did read somewhere though that Ford later advised against using a gasket.

Can't see what could be better than silicone.

@+

Vernon

[AlfaLofa]

Leslie,

Thanks again for your advice.

[rgh0]

Loctite anearobic gasket formng sealants are much better than RTV in a high loaded metal to metal join like this if you dont use the orginal gasket as the silicone gets squeezed out when you bolt it up.

If using the paper gasket coat it with Loctite No3 aviation gasket cement.

cheers
Rohan

[Elanman99]

I would fit the same thickness gasket as the one you are replacing.

The gasket thickness changes the diff position with respect to the output shafts. I'm not sure how significant it is, but I recall seeing a service notes (might not have been Lotus though) that recommended checking for a potential offset causing increased bearing wear.

Ian

[AlfaLofa]

This is exactly what I have been thinking.

No gasket, thin gasket or heavy duty must all have some effect on the geometry.

Obviously going to extremes, fitting a 1/2 inch thick gasket would mean nothing would align.

[dlbutler]

Loctite anearobic gasket formng sealants are much better than RTV in a high loaded metal to metal join like this if you dont use the orginal gasket as the silicone gets squeezed out when you bolt it up.

If using the paper gasket coat it with Loctite No3 aviation gasket cement.

cheers
Rohan

+1

Lotus recommends the anaerobic sealant for the 907-910 engines and transaxles and recommends Wellseal for the Twin Cams and gearboxes and final drives. Aviation gasket sealant (brush on, non-hardening) is a close substitute for Wellseal. Sealing the bolt threads is sometimes necessary because not all of the internal threads are blind holes.

[AlfaLofa]

I don't seem to be able to find Loctite No3 in the UK - but there is plenty of Wellseal on eBay.

In fact I've got some in the garage - but it's old and very fliud !!

[john.p.clegg]

Steve

but it's still good,never dries out...

John

[rgh0]

I don't seem to be able to find Loctite No3 in the UK - but there is plenty of Wellseal on eBay.

In fact I've got some in the garage - but it's old and very fliud !!

Loctite also sell under the Permatex brand you may find it under that name in the Uk