Crankshaft seals do not typically come with a gasket set. I suggest you try your local NAPA Auto parts dealer, may take them a day to get the gaskets and seal. You MAY be able to get the sump gasket separate. I would go for a .009" thick. End play should be at least .002", that is about the amount you can feel when push/pulling. I would only add a couple of things to what has been said. I would drain the oil first thing and clean the area around the lower crankshaft, the 3/8" or so before the step down so that the sump can slide off the crankshaft without binding in the bottom bearing with possible damage if forced. I use 400 wet/dry sand paper. When you have the sump off, check the mounting hole in the oil slinger. That old an engine may have elongated the mounting hole. If this gets too bad, the oil slinger/governor starts stripping/jumping teeth. Torque for sump bolts is 140 inch lbs. No sealant is required nor recommended for the sump gasket but because sump gasket failure is a common problem with most B&S vertical shaft engines, 10 hp and up, I use Copper Coat. Try to get the new seal in evenly all the way around, coat it with oil or grease between the double lips, assuming it has double seal lips. Walt Conner wconner5 at verizon dot net

What a grinding, long-extended ordeal that you have all been though! And continue to endure! I pray that strength of body, mind and spirit may persist without flagging for all of you. May the medical people find their way through this maze with outstanding skill and diagnose the situation correctly. I hope that her situation may be healed as much as possible with as little disruption as possible. ole joyful

My kitty has had obstruction problems as well. First doctor recommended the prescriptions diet as well as the be-all, end-all, as in "noting else will work." Cat didn't like the (crappy) food; he was back to the practice within 2 mos. Happily, there was a "relief" vet there covering for the bully who owned the place. He recommended extra fluids with his regular food (raw), SPRING water (distilled pulls needed minerals from the body; the minerals in spring water are NOT what cause the blockage) AND, prophylactic use of sub-q fluids, tapering down to prn. It had been more than 18 mos now and all has been well until my prescription for sub-q fluids rand out. Can't seem to find another vet who uses that philosophy and can't find the "relief" vet. I am getting worried. We're going to 6+ weeks since his last sub-q fluid administration (125ml/day for 8 days at beg of each month). Anybody know how to track down a "relief" vet in the central Florida area? Thx.

Linda, that's great to hear! Poor Lucy though, holding it for so long :( Give her a little ear skritch for me.