Headgasket choices — OEM or non-OEM

[amcdave]

Hey guys I am looking to fix a 1986 Toyota van with a leaking head gasket and then i am building a new engine for it. I wanted to know would the fel pro perma torque head gasket be as good or better than the Toyota one. I ask because I have worked on Buick v6 motors and that was always a great head gasket. It seems it is a stainless mls head gasket. Is the Toyota one also multi layered steel or different or is it different.

[Burntboot]

Maybe!

I have no experience with that brand of gasket, it is likely of decent quality, it might be just as good as OEM, it might last as long or longer than OEM.

However, there is a long list of people who have had failures from A/M gaskets over the years
(to be fair, there are those that have had no issues, too)

If we were talking about a Tercel, where the gasket can be swapped out in 1-2 hrs I MIGHT consider taking a chance on non-factory parts.
But the van is just too involved.
While you may be able to get it done in 6-8 hrs like Tim, most of us will take considerably longer.

Just the complexity of the job itself is enough to convince me but if thats not enough, how do you feel about redoing it all in a couple of years?
I only ask, as that has been the majority experience in the land of A/M TV head gaskets.

YMMV

[djshimon]

OEM only on this part.

[Chardog1971]

I just installed one of the fel pro head gaskets on my 89. the old gasket failed at the very back beneath the hose of death. What was left of the old gasket was clearly after market. Definitely a lesser quality product than the fel pro.The new one was a perfect fit , so hopefully it lasts. the PO had the van for almost 100k (260k+ on odometer) and hadn't changed the gasket, so well see.The job took a long time outside in the Montana winter so I hope I dont have to redo it.:redvan::yellowvan::greenvan: