Topic: Rear End Plug Finish

[rrenz]

I most recently rebuilt my 8 inch rear end and brakes as I'm slowly moving through detailing the underside of my car. Long story short I took a point hit at a local MCA event due to my springs being rusty. Everything began to snowball from there. Anyways The only bit of information I couldn't find was the correct finish of the fill plug. My assumption is that this is a natural finish?

[ChrisV289]

I had that same setup to move the rear around my garage...Harbor freight wheel dolly.  Plug should be black just like the rest of the housing...

[carlite65]

+1 on the black plug. an fyi here....that blue gasket will also merit a deduction.

[Bob Gaines]

I most recently rebuilt my 8 inch rear end and brakes as I'm slowly moving through detailing the underside of my car. Long story short I took a point hit at a local MCA event due to my springs being rusty. Everything began to snowball from there. Anyways The only bit of information I couldn't find was the correct finish of the fill plug. My assumption is that this is a natural finish?

Curious what kind of wheels are on the car? If steel wheels and hubcaps fine .If magnums then wouldn't the brake drum face  typically be brush painted black?

[rrenz]

+1 on the black plug. an fyi here....that blue gasket will also merit a deduction.

That was my first thought when i put the pumpkin back in. ill have to trim it up. I have the steel wheels and hubcaps. I believe that the drums were only painted black with the styled steel wheels. Someone correct me if I am wrong here.

[Bob Gaines]

That was my first thought when i put the pumpkin back in. ill have to trim it up. I have the steel wheels and hubcaps. I believe that the drums were only painted black with the styled steel wheels. Someone correct me if I am wrong here.

They are fine if steel wheels and hubcaps. Even trimmed you will still be able to see the edge of the blue or white.  Using tape on the red oxide side and then applying some black paint with a fine brush to color the gasket material will solve the problem .

[rrenz]

that sounds like a better solution. Was going to get my brush out for the plug anyways! thanks

[rockhouse66]

A magic marker will fix the gasket edges as well.

[carlite65]

A magic marker will fix the gasket edges as well.

not quite. there should be slight bare area showing around that edge.

[67gtasanjose]

+1 on the black plug. an fyi here....that blue gasket will also merit a deduction.

not quite. there should be slight bare area showing around that edge.

Since we have digressed to other details other than just the plug...
What is the best source of a "black" gasket that closest matches an OE gasket? (8-inch or 9 inch while we are on the subject)...something that leaves the "bare area" as mentioned?

I ask because anybody could make a gasket or make a gasket "fit" but how snug to the edge of 3rd member should the gasket "hug"?

[rockhouse66]

It is a very thin paper gasket.  I don't think there is an "edge" like there would be on something thicker.  The black ones I have are solid black.  I bought them in a quantity somewhere and they are not individually packaged so I can't say where they came from but they are out there somewhere.  I think I bought them from Summit or someplace like that.  Like this one;

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/axe-dg2810?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-fast-shafts&gclid=CI6s1qTylNICFVcHhgod9BUBjQ

[Bob Gaines]

It is a very thin paper gasket. I don't think there is an "edge" like there would be on something thicker.  The black ones I have are solid black.  I bought them in a quantity somewhere and they are not individually packaged so I can't say where they came from but they are out there somewhere.  I think I bought them from Summit or someplace like that.  Like this one;

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/axe-dg2810?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-fast-shafts&gclid=CI6s1qTylNICFVcHhgod9BUBjQ

Technically there is going to be a edge on gasket material no matter how thin . The thinner it is the less noticeable but just like a piece of white typing paper there is a edge. A light color like white or blue will stand out more against a black background of the rear end housing.

[CharlesTurner]

The easy button is to paint the gasket black before installing.  Otherwise, NOS gaskets come up from time to time on ebay and other places.

[Bob Gaines]

Since we have digressed to other details other than just the plug...
What is the best source of a "black" gasket that closest matches an OE gasket? (8-inch or 9 inch while we are on the subject)...something that leaves the "bare area" as mentioned?

I ask because anybody could make a gasket or make a gasket "fit" but how snug to the edge of 3rd member should the gasket "hug"?

A blue or white gasket is going to be extremely noticeable and trimming close is the best solution given the comprise already at hand to make it go away IMO. The best thing is to use a black gasket to begin with because as you mention it doesn't hug the edge tight plus there is a different profile in some areas of the gasket. It would be more trouble to try and cut one to look correct then it would to change it correctly. Trimming tight just makes it less noticeable and is a compromise. Also as mentioned the entire flat surface should machined bare because some areas are not completely covered by the gasket especially the area that contours down to the tubes.  Anything short of that is a compromise of sorts and depends on what you are willing to do in pursuit of that assemblyline look.

[J_Speegle]

What is the best source of a "black" gasket that closest matches an OE gasket? (8-inch or 9 inch while we are on the subject)...something that leaves the "bare area" as mentioned?

Can't recall the brand but the last ones I purchased were just ones that were listed in a Rock Auto ad I received as a email. Often go through those (close outs and product drops) to see what hardware like things I can pick up and set on the shelf  for later use