Originally Posted by johnwaynejeep (Post 8118067)

It does not seem normal for a head gasket to just rot out. Look at the tops of your pistons, are they clean of all carbon deposits? If they are, then you did have a blown head gasket which could explain the rotted out gasket. Also check your head and engine deck with a straight edge and make sure it is not warped.

When you go to get a new head gasket, you should look for a Teflon or composite head gasket. These gasket types are better for iron blocks and iron heads because they can seal to a rougher surface texture. As far as RTV goes, read the instructions, you typically do not use RTV with head gaskets, but the manufacturer should specify whether to use it.

If you have aluminum heads then go with an MLS style gasket that will allow for expansion between the head and block. You may have to get the heads honed to a finer finish for the MLS gasket and never use RTV on an MLS gasket.



you can also use a graphite head gasket but they are expensive and never use RTV on them.

I hope this helps and if the gasket manufacturer says anything different, go with what they say. As far as the guy behind the counter at the parts house, it's a crap shoot as to whether they know what they're talking about.

Originally Posted by johnwaynejeep (Post 8119357)

Fel Pro makes quality products and the PermaTorque line has all different types of head gaskets. This should work out fine, just follow the instructions in the box for prepping the surface. Keep in mind that a lot of head gaskets are one time use and cannot be reused once they are torqued, so don't miss a step. Also, not all vehicles require replacing the head bolts, but it has become an industry standard to replace them to avoid confusion between reusable and one time use bolts.