Keith, sorry to hear about the knee.
My gasket also split when I began to tighten the bolts - and I had already applied the Hylomar. It was like rubber cement, some of it stuck and some of it just balled up into a blue gooey mess. Maybe it was old... I used some Garlock gasket paper to make a new gasket and coated all surfaces with a light coating of Seal-All. The gasket paper was sturdy, but it wasn't real thick or real thin, maybe about the thickness of a matchbook cover. Bolted it on, let it set overnight, and it hasn't leaked a drop since, and I'm thinking that's been over a year.....
And, this isn't directed at you, but blaming brent for Pingels problems isn't right. He just sells them - he doesn't make them.....
As was mentioned here, and discussed on the old boards, someone said Pingel had replaced the soft, splitting gasket with a better one. Maybe that still isn't the case. I would suggest if someone has a problem with the gasket splitting, contact Pingel....
and this isn't a good pic, but here's a Pingel... this also illustrates using the AI hose to connect your vacuum ports to smooth out your idle....
Happy motoring...
