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Water Strainers

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andante

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I have Perko water strainers (1992 vintage) for my twin 454's. Noted port side leaking a small amount from top of the clear tube. Ordered gasket set through my parts dept, got the correct size gaskets but wrong material- rubber. My strainers have cork gaskets. I called Perko and was informed that eventhough the rubber gaskets fit, you MUST use the cork gaskets! Anyone have a clue as to why?

Thanks,
Drew
 
I don't know but they cannot leak at all if they are above the waterline. last spring I put my boat in the water and had no water going to the engine. After replacing the impeller I still had no water. I put some silicone sealer around the cork and everything was fine. It must have been sucking in just a little air messing things up.
 
I can only say I was surprised at how expensive a few sets of these things . . . are but they are cork. I bought 6 sets I think they were over $85.00.. 2 engines, 2 air conditioners, generator, washdown pump
 
I went thru what knuckle47 did many years ago with the gaskets for the groco strainers on mine - $8/ea and that was decades ago. I got some sheet rubber 1/8" thick and used the top plate as a template. a few minutes with the X-ACTO knife and I had a new set and some spares. Never had a lick of trouble with them leaking since. Never heard you can't use rubber....I'd call Perko back and ask WHY? Be interesting to hear the response.
 
A few years back I had some leaky strainer gaskets and was more than a little suprised at the pricing for new cork sets from Groco. I bought a sheet of 1/8" cork gasket stock for about $6 from a local hardware store and cut my own. No troubles since.
 
Hi Mark,

Names got changed a bit BUT...Where did you find the rubber sheeting to make yoru gaskets? I am going to need a set next year and I am going to get it done on one of these monsoon days while I have the time...AL

I too would like to know why they insist on cork.

After spending a bit of time and money at some local fuel docks...I am convinced there IS E-10 in the water
 
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I got a roll of cork the other year to make pads for my stone tables on my wood floors... I wonder if I could cut a bunch from that?
 
Al:

I can't say I remember the details of where it was obtained from. I believe it to be of an EDPM variety. nominally 1/8" thick. Used around the place I was working as a 'cushion' in front of the work benches. What i got were 'remnents' of the 'ends' of the 36" wide parts after they were trimmed.

Think major_tom found similar stuff at the "good" local hardware store; I'd check out your local one on the way home from work.
 
Im thinking pond liner is EDPM 1/8" is very heavy but some of the bigger acreage type ponds probably use it...Thanks I will look around...roofing too
 
That synthetic roofing stuff is tough stuff. My first one looked more like an octagon but worked just fine. With the center stud, a square hole in the middle worked just fine.
 
One of my side distractions is that I build acoustic guitars and mandolins. I have made 75 spool clamps using 1" dowel, threaded rod and wing nuts. To soften the crunch against the wood tops and backs, I glued cork to that surface and punched it out with 1" copper plumbing fitting...like a cookie cutter. I am sure threre are 3 " parts or so out there to try that can fit the strainers... Major Toms post reminded me after looking at the cork roll
 
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