gaskets for small oval bronze ports

[Abby]

Hello,

we're looking for a source for rubber gaskets for our bronze opening oval-shaped ports. The inside diameter is approximately 4" by 9"- which is smaller than anything we've seen online so far... the outer trim ring is stamped "Italy" and there are no other marks...they were purchased by the builder in the late 1970' / early 1980's. The ports are supposed to be self-draining (each one has a tube draining out down through the cabin trunk) but the gaskets seem to get in the way-- and they leak leak leak. Anyone have any suggestions on where to look for gaskets, or how to adapt what is readily available?

thank- Abby

[Bob Cleek]

Hard to say without a picture of the problem. Are we talking a simple flat rubber gasket, or something like an O-ring that sets in a groove? Yours is not an uncommon problem. Even in the best made port lights, the gasket material wears out and degrades. If it is a flat rubber piece, simply buy some rubber stock at a rubber materials supplier. The last 3/16" flat rubber gaskets I made came from material I bought at Orchard Supply Hardware. If it fits in a groove, consider checking to see of any of the commercial weatherstripping materials will do the job. I've used the rubber ridged "cord" material that is sold to roll into the grooves on an aluminum window screen to hold the screening material. Worked great. My mushroom vents also had grooves and I found an adhesive backed weatherstriping rubber material that worked fine there.

Free yourself from the "mega-chandleries" and think outside the "big box!"