Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Installing lavatory faucet--wrong size? something missing?

Working on finishing a bathroom in our basement (not something we're in desperate need of getting finished and so only adding as our funds allow). We had installed a new vanity/sink about a year ago and are just now getting ready to install a faucet.

My parents knew that we had been looking at them and had found one for us at a garage sale (looks like it had never been used!) so they bought it for us. I have no idea what brand it is (can't find any marking on it), but it doesn't seem to fit?! Aren't most faucets/vanity sinks a standard size?? (Faucet measures 4" OC).

But when we put the faucet in the holes of the vanity sink, the edges aren't completely covered! So now I'm wondering if there maybe isn't something "missing" from the faucet or we measured something wrong ??

I've tried to take some pictures to let you see what I'm referring to, but it's really hard to see:

If you look very closely you can see the edges/rims of the holes in the sink under the faucet:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mxmom739/MVC-007S.jpg


This one shows the faucet that was purchased. It has a white "foam" type gasket on it (that was all that came on the faucet), is this common? :

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mxmom739/MVC-012S.jpg


Any ideas on what we could maybe do to make this one work?

Thanks!
mxmom

4in. on center is a standard, if the base of the faucet does not cover the holes in the top, you are missing something, sorry.

You have 2 different faucet types. 8" centers and 4" centers. It should mesure one of those from the center of the left hole to the center of the right hole.

From the 1st picture..can you just loosen the faucet up and slide it back a bit? Or will the holes then show in the front?

If you can't cover...all i can recommend is try a different faucet. Maybe the holes were drilled bad by the manufacturer.

Only 'fix' at that point is to get a new top or drill ome of your own holes to make the faucet with the white foam work(and no i don't see white foam often..mostly it is a plastic shield underneath).

Thanks to you both for your replies.

We had tried adjusting the faucet (moving it back, ahead, etc.) but it just doesn't cover the holes either way. I wondered if maybe there was something "missing"....maybe some type of base deck?? (I'm not at all familiar with faucet styles so not sure if that's even a possiblity??)

Guess I'll probably be looking for a new faucet, seems such a shame when this one looked brand new! :( But doesn't matter if we aren't able to use it!

I certainly hope it's just the faucet that has the problem as the vanity/top has been installed for about a year....don't really want to have to purchase another one of those!

Thanks again for your help!
mxmom

Those type of faucets usually come with a bottom plate made of plastic. Either a clear plastic or a black plastic. This plastic plate is called a 'putty plate' and it there to eliminate the old way we used to install these by putting putty underneath the faucet. Basically, it just keeps water from going up under the faucet if you splash some out of your sink.

These plates are roughly the same size as the base of the faucet or just slightly larger. If the faucet doesn't coevr the holes, it is doubtful the plate will.

I don't see you missing any pieces is my point if you have the faucet and the bottom plastic plate.