"This set represents about half of all the O-rings defined as “standard� O-rings by the SAE – the set is deficient mostly in the cross-sectional thicknesses of O-rings (thickness of bead of polymer used to make the ring).
O-ring sizes are defined by their internal diameter and their cross-sectional thickness; for a quick determination of size to use (in an axial, not radial, configuration) I use a caliper to determine the ID of the journal where a sleeve or bushing will fit through, the sleeve thickness at the thinnest part of the groove cut into it (the groove is called a gland); the difference is about twice the cross-sectional thickness of the O-ring needed, and take the smaller inside diameter O-ring available nearest the diameter at the thinnest gland thickness. That insures that the O-ring will stretch over the sleeve and not be loose around it. This does not necessarily find the O-ring that the fitting was designed for – it will only give you a close fitting to any O-rings you have available.
The O-rings in this set are elastomer material impervious to water and salt solutions; they are somewhat impervious to oil, they do not withstand brake fluid (a glycol ether blend) - and they cannot be used for gasoline.
For gasoline applications, only a fluorooelastomer like Viton can be used – and such O-rings are expensive.
The seals on lawnmower carburetors and so forth (usually square in cross-section and not circular) are made from polymer (not elastomer) material – and the material used to make these seals does not stretch like a rubber band. The polymer material used to make gasoline seals like that MUST swell when it comes in contact with gasoline.
An O-ring, no matter what it is used for, CANNOT swell."
What is your level of technical expertise? Professional