"O" rings

[Mike Farmer]

 

Simple Q.
Is it normal to use a gasket as well as the "O" rings in the oil pipe bloc/engine casing joint.

Two reasons for asking 1. I've recently put one together minus gasket and it's in the frame and running--no leak but??? and another in frame but not running yet. (still time to use a gasket)
2. there doesn't appear to be a gasket in any of the Full Gasket Sets that I have purchased.

What I have been doing is assembling with the "O" rings and a smear of Wellseal and allowing it to almost dry prior to assembly and tightening.

Your thoughts please

Mike

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Mike,

I just use the 'O' rings.  If there is a problem the joint can be undone and new rings put in without having to clean the surface of any sealant.

Dave.

[Bess]

Hi Mike,
             Its not normal to use a gasket or a sealant with an O ring.

Manufacturers will recommend the O ring groove, mating surfaces are clean and the ring is lubricated during assembly. Lubrication is either as recommended by the manufacturer or compatible to the fluids the ring is sealing against.

Best wishes...

[Mike Farmer]

 

Thanks guys. Thats pretty much what I thought--but--I just obtained a three "spout" block and it had a gasket stuck to it so I wondered.

Heaven only knows how many of these I've done yet these silly Q's keep popping up. Like I say, it's the question that you don't ask that can cause a lotta damage.

Mike

[Mike Farmer]

 

I've just opened a brand new gasket set. I'm not going to tell you what is in it. You'll only need one guess.

Mike

[Ian C]

I believe the early A65 oil junction was just a gasket, but BSA modified for seals on later models?. I have always used the square section 'O' rings which IMO give a better seal.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Ian,

I believe the square section was the original spec. but they do not always seem to be available.  Where did you get yours?

Dave.

[wardy]

Just fitted mine without gasket, no issues. Found it helpful to grease the o rings a bit to keep them in situ as there's not a lot of room

[Ian C]

I believe the square section was the original spec. but they do not always seem to be available.  Where did you get yours?

I got a few from a fellow branch member a few years back Dave.  He let me know the company he got them from back then, but alas I can't the info!! I'm currently trying to contact him, so will hopefully have an answer soon.

[Bess]

Hi Mike,
            Looks like you have a gasket set for the 1963-64 bike as the oil header required a gasket. In 1965 the header changed and a X ring was used (BSA called it a joint washer, https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-70-8259-68-0598-Oil-Block-O-Ring-Seal-BSA-B25-B44-B50-TR25-68-0598-/332079417426), in 1966 and 1968 other changes and O rings were used for all years from 1966.

People started and are still changing the 63-64 oil header for the better sealing O or X ring option. The issue is that the 1965 X ring and 1966-67 O ring oil headers are different parts, so I guess, if it is unknown which header you have, you wont know which seal to use.

Using the 1968 onwards 3 pipe header is the best option as you know O rings were specified. Also the header is designed to give more oil flow to the head and was a BSA recommended upgrade.

Best wishes...

[Bess]

Hi,
    If you know the X ring size try ERIKS:

https://shop.eriks.co.uk/en/


Best wishes...

[Mike Farmer]

 

O Rings on Ebay.

Mike