Headgasket Question

[Grego 92]

I'm replacing the head gaskets on a 2vz-fe. I finally got around to cleaning off the engine side (heads were professionally done and are ready to go).

If you look at the area where I circled in red, there are tiny pits after scraping and cleaning. Is that a no-go before putting the new gasket on? I know you aren't suppose to put something down before the gasket unless the manufacturer says so, but if this is going to cause a leak is their anything I can do without removing the engine and having it fixed?

[Jimnist]

I dare say it will be alright. That pitting is caused by corrosion. The gasket should seal it up nicely. I hope have a MLS HG instead of those crappy fibrous ones

[Grego 92]

thanks, i got the same opinion from another board. couple guys recommended I put some copper stuff down by permatex and some other brand. yes I have a felpro mls...aren't they the ones who came up with that concept?

[Grego 92]

Can someone tell me if these Toyota OEM gaskets are MLS ones? After doing some reading I see that everyone recommends the OEM ones, so I held off from installing my Fel-Pros. I got these today and they look just like the ones I pulled off and are real flimsy compared to the Fel-Pro's I have. The Fel Pros are pretty sturdy and beefy feeling, and the OEM's feel light and flimsy.

Are these not the latest and greatest ones?





comparison of old vs. Fel Pro



EDIT: Someone educated me that I'm not looking for MLS ones, but Slipperplate. And the OEM ones look like graphite material. So may be my slipperplate Fel-Pro's are better???? Someone know?

[white90dx]

I wouldn't worry about putting a non-MLS headgasket set on a non-turbo motor. Standard head gaskets will seal better on questionable surfaces, but don't handle cylinder pressure as well. You can tell a gasket is an MLS one because it will be a few layers of steel riveted together. Both pictures look like normal gaskets, but its hard to tell from the top.

If both mating surfaces are flat and you use the sealing spray, you should be just fine with that pitting and either gasket.

-Charlie