Thread: Which head gasket?

The 3 plate laminated steel head gasket, Regards Frank.

Elring composite, for replacement purposes

Had problems blowing Elring Composite head gaskets, 2 in 3 months, warped head between 2 and 3 cylinders, first time had head machined still blew composite gasket, never machined head second time and Elring composite gasket blew again.
Fitted a laminated steel (3 plates) head gasket, did not remachine head, over 12 months now, no problems, knock on wood, Regards Frank.

why are metal head gaskets shimmed instead of just one piece like a composite?

Originally Posted by ade

why are metal head gaskets shimmed instead of just one piece like a composite?

To allow for compression. Stainless steel by itself will not squash, but the material between the stainless will compress to form a seal.

Originally Posted by Tank

Had problems blowing Elring Composite head gaskets, 2 in 3 months, warped head between 2 and 3 cylinders, first time had head machined still blew composite gasket, never machined head second time and Elring composite gasket blew again.
Fitted a laminated steel (3 plates) head gasket, did not remachine head, over 12 months now, no problems, knock on wood, Regards Frank.

Bugger of a time Frank.

I mentioned the genuine parts one as that was JC's suggestion after doing more than one head gasket change on these little tickers.

I have one sitting here waiting for a precautionary change in the next few months.

Rick, I'm saving my pennies to get a new head, I could actually buy them for $25 a piece, but I would have to buy a min. of 200, would love to be able to get a cast iron one if they existed.
I figured the steel head gasket would help hold the shape of the head a bit better than the composite one. Anyhow when I get the new head I will be installing studs and a new steel gasket, it's a bit of a worry wondering when the next head gasket is going to blow. I am also going to install a V8 radiator and TD5 IC (full width), even though the gaskets didn't blow from overheating, on each occasion I could hear a gurgling sound, pulled over and found that the header tank cap was venting high pressure, wasn't boiling, but didn't take long for it to boil after that. Hopefully these Chinese heads won't have the same problems as the originals, then again the Chinese heads may be the originals, Regards Frank.

my second new head from turnrs is on its way, just cant decide wether to go composite or shimmed, bought both, just cant decide.