Temporarily Re-use Gaskets? (And other misc questions)
 

If everyone doesn't know already, my car is S5 N/A.

1. I don't have time this weekend to go get some exhaust gaskets, and I don't have enough to put all the parts together... but I have old gaskets, they are NOT cracked or broken... slightly rusty, but not brittle cracking.

Can I re-use a few of the better shape ones temporarily so I can get my car up and running (first startup after a rebuild) or am I risking something bad happening if the O2 sensor misreads?

2. Is there any difference between the air-vaccum solenoids other than that there are two types of them? My dad managed to grab one and break the nipple off, gluing is useless.. so I junkyarded one from an S4. It looks slightly crappier in condition, but it was "free" and it looks like it'll work.

3. Is that reinforced hose, fuel injector hose, good enough to use as heater hose? I know mazdatrix sells the shaped heater hoses but it'll cost me a small fortune to buy all of them new. Should I re-use old ones that aren't brittle as hell and falling apart, or can I just run fuel injector hose in the correct size? (It looks like the same shit to me, rubber hose enforced with some probably hi-temp plastic string)

4. I might make another post for this question... who thinks it'd look cool to have a shiny red hood on an otherwise black S5 RX-7? ;) It matches my engine color scheme... and I thought it didn't look half bad... maybe just for autox days or something? hehe (Yeah this is purely cosmetic, they're both freakin steel hoods)

--Gary

1)Should only cause exhaust leaks
3)I got mine pretty cheap at NAPA, you can use other hose but it probably won't last as long-I don't think fuel injection hose will be large enough

1) most regulars to rotaries reuse gaskets, if they are in good condition then go for it. Mazda gaskets are pretty hardy and do not get damaged easily and their unavailability makes them good candidates for reuseage.

2) if you are talking air valve on the top of the UIM that is a gold colored can with 2 black hoses coming off, i installed a S4 n/a valve onto my S4 T2 and it seems to work fine but then again i don't think my cold start circuit is working anyways. :)

3) get the right hose, there is many bends and trying to get a straight hose to fit where there needs to be many 90 degree bends is only going to give you headaches. you could just do the T/B mod if you don't have emissions where you live and you can cancel out both #2 and this one.

4) i like color matching otherwise it looks ricey, redneck or trashy. :D