Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I agree, Teflon tape is 100% messy and arduous!  Just finding the correct IDxOD diameter will be the trick.  I have some that is good for the ID but way to much for the OD.  Perhaps I could get lucky at Lowe's...

As for cleaning, yep I have that one covered.  Though on this little guy the seal was almost still rubberish - the older Empire seals are like harden clay and take ages to get cleaned out (lots of chasing the treats with my jeweler's screwdriver).