Ok little back ground info. I bout a 91 4x4 with a rebuilt 22RE. Engine was rebuilt about 3 years ago and has blown the headgasket. I am getting exhaust in the coolant and need to replace the headgasket.

Ok I have searched and searched and have found several posts on which head gasket is best to use. I have come to the conclusion that I am not using a Felpro and would like to use a Rock Auto Gasket. However I am not clear on which one to use. A lot of guys say that the Rock Auto is a great replacement over the factory toyota unit and its a lot cheaper. My problem is there are 2 different headgaskets that rock auto sells. Is the 10 dollar one the good one or is the 23 dollar one the good one? I am assuming the 23 dollar one is the good one as it says it has a steel bottom.

I have only replaced one headgasket in my life and that was on an old ford Escort. I know I need to do the important stuff like tap the holes in the block and make sure everything is nice and clean and flat. I want to do this as low buck as possible but I also want to do it right the first time. Thanks guys, Jeremiah.

 

I would only go OEM or Corteco for the Head Gasket. I know the OEM gasket goes for around $45.00. This is one gasket I would not skimp on and $45 is nothing for piece of mind.

 

OEM has the highest QC.

BUT, there are performance minded brands that can exceed the QC b/c theirs is built with performance and high outputs in mind... Like from Turbo's.

http://www.cometic.com/

 

I've used a ton of FelPro's with no issues. The biggest thing you have to deal with with 22R's and head gaskets is proper machining. One could be warped, or cracked, or improperly milled...

OR, the PO didn't have it worked on at all.

The reoccurring HG problems on 22R's have are usually at fault b/c of what's listed above...


And Rock... Oh where to begin...

Rock, to my knowledge is NOT a parts manufacturer, but a retailer... Which means they sell parts, not make them.

There are several posts with Rock parts that have failures(IIRC, Timing covers & USD V6 head gaskets), and posts of the true manufacturer listed on them(FelPro Head gaskets) .

And just like any other company they have a bottom line to deal with... So one day they might have x as a supplier, but he went up on his prices so now they have y.

Where do you wanna be in the middle of all this? You want updates as they get x and y's quality control and if they even have it or not?

I won't deal with "Rock" They're just another retailer...


I bought a cheap-o timing cover that was out of Taiwan on EBay.

There is a "22RE rebuild" thread on here where the one he bought from Crock looks the exact same.

Enginebuilder has even had QC issues with his timing covers...

We live in a global economy these days guy.

 

I am building the same motor, I def reccomend the Toyota HG because of quality as stated above. If you refuse to go this route it sounds like your $23 hg with steel bottom is closer to the oem one the the $10 one. Keep in mind if your having your block decked or head shaved, you may need to check into a thicker HG.

 

OEM - no question about that. My rebuilt 3VZ-E came with Rock HG's and I took the heads off and put OEM's on it right away. Plus new head bolts of course.

 

Thank you guys. I have decided to put out the extra 20 or so dollars to get the OEM Toyota headgasket and will also be replacing the head bolts as well. The head was supposedly milled the first time this engine was rebuilt and I found a build thread for this engine. Everything was done right and I am thinking the cause of the premature head gasket failure is due to inferior parts and possibly a coolant leak attributed to a missing bolt on the pipe that goes to the heater core. Again thank you guys for all your wisdom, Jeremiah.