would this material work for a gasket?

[r4daytona]

I had a rear seal leak at the end of summer for some reason - shit happens.  The question I have is with the foam axle shaft gasket.  Since I was bored at work I took the one that came off the car, scanned it into the computer and re-drew it with AutoCAD - then I converted it to a format that was compatible with my laser.  I cut one out of plastic as a test piece and it fit my car perfect - bolt holes lined up, the flat part on the top was perfect and the center hole was perfect.  So I was just wondering if I could cut them out of cork or paper gasket material or do I need to use the foam? I have an axle from a 71 c body that I'm trying to sell so I looked at those gaskets and they are foam as well - so one would assume foam is needed.  However, a local parts store and Rock Auto have them but in paper.  Is foam needed to seal the shaft better since the flange is stamped steel and the foam will seal better against any waviness in the steel?

[6spd68]

If you have the time to play, try it out with the different materials, and see which one works 

[John_Kunkel]

The foam gasket is just a dust seal, any gasket material will work or use RTV as many do.

[ACUDANUT]

True.

[RJS]

I had a rear seal leak at the end of summer for some reason - shit happens.  The question I have is with the foam axle shaft gasket.  Since I was bored at work I took the one that came off the car, scanned it into the computer and re-drew it with AutoCAD - then I converted it to a format that was compatible with my laser.  I cut one out of plastic as a test piece and it fit my car perfect - bolt holes lined up, the flat part on the top was perfect and the center hole was perfect.  So I was just wondering if I could cut them out of cork or paper gasket material or do I need to use the foam? I have an axle from a 71 c body that I'm trying to sell so I looked at those gaskets and they are foam as well - so one would assume foam is needed.  However, a local parts store and Rock Auto have them but in paper.  Is foam needed to seal the shaft better since the flange is stamped steel and the foam will seal better against any waviness in the steel?

I'll assume your having an axle leaking onto the brakes since your speaking of the foam gaskets. If that is the case you need to put a new axle seal into the housing, that is what keeps rear oil from leaking out onto the bearing and then onto the brakes.
Ron