Earlier this month, while doing smog-check maintenance, noticed that the oil filler cap on my '89 Daihatsu Charade pops up and almost falls out when I rev the engine from idle to 1500 rpm. Lots of smoke and oil spray.
Ok, so it's time for an overhaul. Not an insurmountable problem. I've done a number of them. But this time something is different. I can't seem to find the parts. Local dealers say they can't even order the parts. Best I've turned up on-line is one dealer that can supply an oil pan gasket and another that can supply a head gasket. No one lists the rings.
Of course, I'll keep looking for the proper parts, but as a back-up plan, I was wondering . . .
Rings are rings, right? If I can identify another car that has the same bore diameter (or slightly larger bore and file the ring ends to fit) and same ring thickness, rings for that car should work. Am I overlooking something?
And what about improvising a head gasket. Is it at all possible to cut one from sheet stock? What material would be best? McMaster Carr has an impresive looking carbon fiber gasket material with stainless steel insert. Or would soft copper be better?
Or maybe one of you can just recommend a parts dealer who can handle hard-to-find parts. That would work too.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.