Headgasket Materials

[firefighterwhite89]

I know what you're thinking..."We have more than one option?!?!" lol.
We do in fact, have two options i have found. Unfortunately, I'm not sure which one would actually seal better. That's where you guys come in and give me your opinions.
Victor Reinz makes a Nitroseal Head Gasket. ($57)
Fel-Pro makes a Permatex Head Gasket. ($38)

Which one is actually better? I googled Permatex vs. Nitroseal and came up pretty much completely empty handed...

Permatex is coated on Fel-Pro gaskets for a better sealing Head Gasket from what I understand.
Nitroseal is teflon based coating on Victor Reinz Head Gasket for a better seal.

Which one do you think is better? I'd assume they are pretty much the same. Would one run and seal better with our A-Series?

[cygnus x-1]

Where did you find the VR head gasket? For my VW diesel I've learned that most of the other brand gaskets and seals are crap. The VR gaskets are the only ones that work.

When I rebuilt my A20 I used a Felpro kit and haven't had any issues. But if VR parts were available I wouldn't hesitate to use them either.

C|

[firefighterwhite89]

Autozone stocks them though our HG isn't in stock at my hub, though the Fel-Pro is. Still can get it in less than 24 hours though. I know Fel-Pro is a reputable company but I'd never heard of Victor Reinz or Nitroseal...

Sent from my SPH-M840 using Tapatalk

[Vanilla Sky]

I actually just had this question myself, then I managed a Fel-Pro for less than $20 shipped.

They are cheaper if you find them online. Check everyone out.

[niles]

I got my Victor Reinz head gasket today. I will update this post with pictures of the front and back after I open it.

Vanilla Sky is totally right, I saw the Reinz gasket for $60+, but Auto Parts Warehouse has it for $25.

Here is the comany info: Composite Cylinder-Head Gaskets - Sealing Products Victor Reinz Aftermarket

[Vanilla Sky]

I will open mine up and take pictures and measure everything important, too. We might be onto something here.

[niles]

I will open mine up and take pictures and measure everything important, too. We might be onto something here.

Shit. I didn't measure anything Vanilla Sky. Although I wouldn't know what to measure; thickness? fire ring size? coolant & oil passages? However, I think with the quality of VR gaskets, everything should meet their specs.

On to the pics:

Front:


Back:


Closeup of Nitroseal around oil passage with Viton element:


Closeup of Nitroseal around lower left oil passage: