What to do about unavailable gaskets
 

Hey new to the forum but I’ve run into a problem with my 1979 cub 1450. Kohler14hp engine. I’ve pulled it out of the tractor in search of an oil leak. I’ve got it down that it’s the “front” gaskets between engine and flywheel plate that is causing my leaking oil. But everywhere Ive searched online the gaskets are unavailable. So what has everyone been doing? As I’m sure not the only one to have a leaking gasket. Is using a flexible gasket like one you’d use between the crack case the only option? Or will that work? I live in Canada also so maybe it’s harder for me to get parts up here
Thanks for any help

If I'm reading your dilemma correctly, the sponsors in the header above seem to have the gaskets available. There are two items.... KH-235070 which is .010 gasket and KH-235757 which seems to be a regular gasket. You need to choose wisely.

Are you SURE it's not the crank main seal that is leaking??

The thickness of those gaskets you refer to set the correct crank to bearing clearance and need to be within spec as determined with a feeler gage according to the model engine you have. I usually takes a combination of several of them to accomplish this.

A rebuild gasket kit contains several of these gaskets of different thickness

The K321 calls for .003"-.020"
Info on page 12.10 of the FSM TP-2379

That gasket is what sets the end play in the crankshaft of the engine. I have not had an issue with finding gaskets, they are available in multiple places online. I have had good luck with the cheap sets sold on Amazon, at least with the gaskets. They give you the gasket itself, and then 3-4 paper shims that are the same shape as the gasket. The shims are what you'd use to set the end play.

edit: finsruskw beat me to it

I wouldn't worry about using only OEM gaskets, if that's the reason you are coming up empty in your gasket search.

I agree with the others for sure on the specific gasket you are looking for
at present, buy it . That said, there are quite a few gaskets on these machines that are
pretty simple and not to hard to make. I have found having a couple
different gauges of the paper gaskets ( not sure what they are made of)
and cork around will get a lot of the simple ones done on the workbench.
Kind of a fun skill that seems to have gone by the wayside.

Ken