I used to think that some 2.8 parts were hard to find. I was wrong. There is only one that is made of honest to God unicorn horn. The turbo inlet gasket.
I had to have my 2.8 turbo rebuilt last week, and after it was done, I came to find that my shop would not install the turbo and provide a warranty without a new gasket. Didn't see this one coming at all, when the shop called and said they checked with all their suppliers and couldn't locate the metal turbo inlet gasket. For every 2.8 owner, what you'll find if the day ever comes is that straight from the factory, there is no gasket between the exhaust manifold and turbo inlet; it's metal to metal. But if you buy a new turbo, it will come with a metal inlet and oil drain gasket in the kit. So of course, I check with M&D in the UK. "No sorry don't have them, never did, we don't fit them. You'll have to do some legwork. Good luck mate!".
The 2.8 parts catalogue doesn't even show a gasket for the inlet. So no part number. Told my mechanic and he said "it's got to have a gasket". I had to find one or they weren't going to do the work or honor their parts and labor warranty.
So now I needed to find a part number. Garrett, Maxion, Internal..I didn't care, needed something. I then found an information jackpot out of Spain. Turbomaster has a robust catalogue and shows the gasket part numbers for the 2.8 turbo.
Gasket ( turbine inlet ): 210647
Gasket ( oil outlet ): 210553
http://www.turbomaster.info/eng/garrett_parts_list/724652-0001.php
Now the outlet gasket is easily sourced and common, but damn. That inlet is a beeyoch. So then I started shooting emails to every turbo house in the UK, and trolling the internet. My 110 was now in jail waiting on it's parole. The bond was a turbo gasket. All the UK turbo shops had nothing, never did. "good luck mate!"
I called Garret suppliers all over the US. "no luck, number not found". Then I called guerrera in Florida, who then called his suppliers in S. America, and he came back and said "it's not available seperately".
So now completely out of options, I started going through all the gaskets on turbomaster's inventory looking for measurement match to 210647. And I found one that was really damn close that fits turbodiesel Mitsubishis.
Turbo Gasket T25 T28 TD04-H Intake 1.97" ID part no:
210501
A quick search on ebay, and I found a supplier for that gasket. And their in Texas! So I ordered one to try and match up to my old gasket as a worst case plan B, and I asked about the Garrett 210647. Low and behold, they had one in stock, and only one! Holy ****! yeah, I ordered that one too. So I had two gaskets on the way. Ordered 2 day priority.
(side story, because I ordered expedited, it went usps 2 day priority, which meant flying from TX to NJ and getting stuck for a week in Winter Storm Juno).
Well got them both in hand today, and headed up to the shop. not only was the aftermarket 210647 a good match (slightly smaller hole by maybe 1mm) but I couldn't tell it from the mitsubishi, so the mitsubishi should be considered an alternate if needed, and is easily sourced overseas due to it being used on multiple Mitsubishi platforms such as the Prado.
The TX shop that makes this gasket is Chinese owned, but they fabricate their own gaskets. I've asked them to offer the 2.8 turbo gasket kit (inlet and outlet) on ebay so I can direct others to order these. I would much rather have a gasket then not. there is no downside. I'll be ordering probably a half dozen to cover hopefully a lifetime of reinstalls. I'm talking truly unicorn horn, unobtanium shiite. I'll post up the ebay auction link if/when it becomes available.
ebay store ID: mpgstore
Name: Great Power Global
Street1: 565 South Mason Road
Street2: Suite 109
City:L Katy, TX 77450
Phone: 713 893 8482