My last set of cats (2-2x2x7 canned) needed replacement. When I put them in 5 years ago, I went to a local stove store and got 1/4" gasket to wrap them with and they fit in nice and snug. When I ordered the new set from Condar I ordered gasket material also. I have them installed but haven't fired up the stove yet. I am a bit concerned with the loose fit. They claim the gasket material will swell to twice it's original size but as sloppy as the fit is, I am sceptical. Wondering if I should go get 1/4" inch gasket or if the Catgard gasket will actually swell enough to provide a snug fit. If they actually do double in size it will be fine. Just don't want to have to take the stove apart again. The cats in this stove are a bear to get to.
I tape one end, then get a good, snug wrap on the interam gasket. On a couple of the diesel-foil cats that shriveled, I've wrapped two layers. But yeah, one layer expands quite a bit. How much gap is there for it to fill? Can you put your stove make and model in your signature?
About a 1/4" gap. If it will really double in size it should be fine. The stove is an Ashley ASH1B. Don't bother Googling it. I think I have the only one in existence. It is an awesome stove. Been looking for a second one for the shop, but to no avail.
Yeah, the interam gasket will double in thickness. Once it has, you have to be careful handling the cat housing because after expansion the gasket material gets crumbly. My Sis has got an Ashley but it's an older non-cat. Got her talked into getting a more efficient stove, if I can find a used one on CL for her to check out...
I don't think Ashley made many cat stoves before they sold out. I'm glad I happened across this one. A while back someone on another forum posted info on a prototype cat stove (can't recall the manufacturer) and the schematics looked exactly like my 30 year old stove. They must have known what they were doing back then. It's not a huge stove but I have no problem getting a 10 hour burn.
I got some replacement condar cats for my High Valley and they were a good bit smaller than my housing. They said thats what HV called for and uses. I said well maybe they changed they d emissions slightly?? Anyway I wrapped the gaskets twice. And its fine no air gaps. I am going to pull them soon probably and clean them in a warm spell. So I will pull them out.
