T&T: Perko gaskets

[Jim Cobb]

Hello all:
Palmetto Moon has 2 large Perko sea strainers,
for the 3208 Cat engines that have cork seals.
The replacement gaskets only come as a set.
#  0500P999M
Two large for the bowl and one small for the clean-out cap/cover.
Cost for the set is from 35.00 - 42.50.
Most every time I clean-out the strainers
the small cork gasket tears and equates to a
70- 85 expense each cleaning.
Every replacement, both surfaces are cleaned
and gasket is soaked in H20, never any leaks.
I talked with Perko and asked about rubber gaskets,
they said that you can only use the cork gaskets,
and they only come in the gasket sets (BUMMER).

Questions;
1- source for just the small gaskets
2- coating for gasket to keep from tearing
3- why can't rubber be used
4- if rubber, then source for rubber gaskets
5- as always, other suggestions are needed

Thanks in advance

Jim Cobb
Palmetto Moon
Ocean Alexander-423
864-921-4302