I have always thought one gasket was as good as another. What is the difference between your silicone gasket vs the ones that came on my engine?
Typically Lycoming uses cork for valve cover gaskets while TCM uses paper or neoprene. Both materials are obviously cheaper than silicone-which is our guess as to why they are used as tests show neither seal nearly as good or last as long as our aviation grade silicone. Considering the volume (economics) and the fact other gasket materials may last long enough to get past the warranty period, the motivation engine manufacturers use cheaper gaskets should be obvious.
