I’m getting sick and tired of tearing TPI gaskets, and since I’m planning on doing some experimenting with the ECM and injectors (and have things disassembled now) I’m looking for a solution.

Is there a set of TPI gaskets that are reusable and durable?

Can I get away with using some kind of sealant or even RTV and skipping the gaskets?

The factory ones at least if you were VERY careful you could peal off without tearing (but more typically they broke in one spot). The ones that are easily available (I think I used Felpro last time) all have a paper face that seems to stick to both the runners and the plenum/base and then parts of it separate from the core. I thought that I had this licked the last time I took the thing apart when I put hylomar (a non hardening sealant, it stays sticky forever, I’ve been using it on other paper gaskets like the thermostat gasket and it seals it up but still lets me take it apart without tearing the gasket, usually works great) on both sides and figured that would be the end of this.

Well, last night I took it apart and found that the paper sides of the gasket basically soaked up the stuff and stuck to everything, some is stuck to the core, some is stuck to the runner flange, some is stuck to the plenum…

Ideas?

 

I have the Accel TPI stuff, and use their gaskets. They are reusable...at least for me. ONly time I have problems with them is when I use a little sealant to hold them in place sometimes when reinstalling. Then they'll tear when taking back apart.

I'm pretty much fed up with TPI stuff anyway. Just reinstalled my TPI over the weekend. Stripped more bolts, and tracking down vacuum leaks is no fun on TPI. HSR, here I come.