Topic: Head Gaskets

[snowrun]

I am in the middle of a headgasket change and my machinist tells me he has gaskets from a company called Cortico(not sure about the spelling). He claims these are the way to go, better than OEM, which is what I was planning on using. Anyone tried them? Good, bad or otherwise. I also have a Rock products gasket. but only want to do this once. Thanks  Shaun

[FIREBALL]

Shaun, I personally have never heard of that brand so I can't say one way or the other if they are good or not. My personal experience from my father who was a Toyota Tech for 30yrs is that for some parts, like gaskets, it's hard to beat the factory Toyota ones.
I've never had a problem with the OEM ones. I've blown head gaskets, but it was because of electrolysis in the head, not the gasket.
Google toyota cortico gaskets and see if anything pops up.

[snowrun [OP]]

I'll try that thanks

[79coyotefrg]

the Rock,  gaskets  are  multi layer steel,  just like oem,  and  are GOOD  quality,  if  you cant get oem  use the Rock,   never heard of those cortico 

[All_Set]

Nothing to add.

Haven't heard of them either.  JCWhitney carries them.  (not sure if that's a good or bad thing lol)

http://www.corteco.de/22.html?&L=0

I've got a Rock Gasket going on it's second year.  And can't go wrong with Stock OEM.

[Volcom]

Mine as a Rock Products as well.

[Talon84x4]

Putting a Rock Products on mine as well, after fixing a head suffering from electrolysis as well. 

[Wermz84]

I'm doing my head gasket pretty quick, and I like using the OEM gaskets.   I have also heard alot of good about the Rock Products on this board.

[Jeffe 81]

Just get the OEM toyota gasket, they are cheap and last a long time.

[dcg9381]

I've read good things about Cortico, but I've never tried 'em.
I've used Felpro (they have 2 different gaskets), Rock, copper, and MLS (cometic).

Rock (sold by engnbldr) makes a good gasket.
MLS mult-layer-steel is a step up -and I don't think OEM is a MLS gasket in the traditional sense - you need a fine finish on your block and head to do MLS and get it to seal, so don't swap unless you know you're OK.

Here's a Rock gasket, ARP studs - and 9psi on pump gas, detonated a few times during tuning:

[kneedownnate]

My felpro leaked in the rear 2 water ports, the one you have circled and the mirror of it on the other side.

[alwayzbroken]

Have there been many bad experiences with Fel-Pro head gaskets? I have one I was gonna use.

[jimbo74]

Have there been many bad experiences with Fel-Pro head gaskets? I have one I was gonna use.

from everything i have heard, they arent very good at all...... the oem seems to be teh best

[BLACKDOG]

from everything i have heard, they arent very good at all...... the oem seems to be teh best

  I tried felpro on my 3.0    got some OEM gaskets, much better quality.  There was a noticable difference side by side, I didn't take pics though

[dcg9381]

I've used Felpro without a problem several times.
Note on my rock gasket failure - that was my fault, not the fault of the gasket.  Turbo + detonation = bad.  I'd stick with rock, based on what I've read... If you use felpro, get the "expensive" HG - not the cheap one.

[Wermz84]

I have used Felpro for exhaust stuff, and oil pan gaskets and the like without any problems.  But I havn't yet tried them for a head gasket.   Not sure I will after all ive read on the board so far.   

[alwayzbroken]

I've used Felpro without a problem several times.
Note on my rock gasket failure - that was my fault, not the fault of the gasket.  Turbo + detonation = bad.  I'd stick with rock, based on what I've read... If you use felpro, get the "expensive" HG - not the cheap one.

I hope i have the expensive one. I think I just got what they had in stock.