Forgot Smoke Unit Gasket

[gottcent]

 Yesterday I finished repairing a 1947 2026 when I realized I'd forgotten to replace the smoke unit gasket, which had come loose during my work. Everything operates OK, including the smoke. Can you tell me what purpose that gasket serves, and how important it is to re-insert it? I really hate to take the whole engine apart again so soon unless it's really important.

                                                                    John Gottcent

[SantaFe158]

The gasket just seals up the gap between the top of the smoke unit and the boiler shell so the smoke comes out the stack only. It's not required but recommended.

[lionelsoni]

Been there, done that.  You might try to put in in through the smokestack with a suitably bent-up paperclip.  I've never done that, but what could it hurt to try?

[SantaFe158]

I actually ran into the same problem with my postwar 736 berkshire, but that one you can just loosen the screws and slide it in through the smokebox door.

[mikemc52]

Why not just take it back apart and put it back in place.  That's an easy thing to do and myself that would drive me nuts knowing I forgot to put it in and didn't take the small step to make it right.

Mike

[gottcent]

 Thanks for the tips, guys!

                        John

[RockIsland52]

I agree with the "repair/replace it" suggestion.  But I'm anal about stuff like that, especially on a fine postwar piece like the 2026.

Jack