You're right, that does look like the original style graphite gasket.

BTW I think you mean 'steel slipperplate' which are graphite with partial steel cladding on the head side, not 'mls' which are 'multi layer steel' - an all steel gasket that requires a mirror-like finish on both head and block.

I'm not sure anyone makes a slipperplate gasket for that camry motor. I took a quick look at rockauto and I don't think any of those are slipperplate. But possibly Rock sells a slipperplate for that motor; you might ask them. It could be that the fel-pro are better; it would be hard to be worse than those old style graphites.

Here's what one brand of slipperplate gasket for the 3VZE looks like (looks very similar to the gaskets sold to me by the dealer in 2001; I think the dealer gaskets look different now):

 

thanks for educating me on the different types. I guess I don't want a MLS because I didn't have the engine block done professionally.

That slipperplate gasket is what I expected to arrive, but instead these graphite ones did. Crap, what to do!

OEM supposedly can't go wrong....I did JB weld those pits up....now I guess use the copper spray with the OEM ones....or use the beefy feeling Fel-Pros......crap I dunno@!

 

Fel-Pro gaskets are different for the 2VZFE than the 3VZE.

 

Go with the OEM. The OEM gasket has a metal ring around each hole. Just like it's suppose to.

 

Thanks for getting me through my head gasket issues. I decided on the OEM hg, used a tiny bit of jb weld to fill in the pits and used some copper spray permatex. Checked my torque like a dozens times....lol.

I changed the head gasket, cleaned parts, repaired parts, replaced parts, painted and cleaned again.

I cranked it up today for the first time in many many many months....started right up and sounded wonderful! I only let it run for 30 seconds though BECAUSE....

If you see the photos below I'm looking to identify the one circled in RED, I'm looking to see where the end of this hose connects. It is right next to the PCV hose. The GREEN arrow hose goes to the PCV valve.

This is 2VZ-FE from a 90 camry....I'm hoping someone will know or the 3vz has a similar connection and someone here has an answer.




This is a photo of the hose when I took the plenum off (I'm glad I took this photo!) the larger diameter hose connects to the PCV valve (Green Arrow)




The end result of my work ( I hope it works and runs !!! )

 

Just an update for everyone that helped me out. I now have 4K miles on the new head gasket and it's running strong and smooth with no issues. This was my first ever head gasket change, and on a v6 to boot!. Those cylinders facing the back toward the firewall made this project a bioootch! So I'm ready for my 22RE whenever that time comes.

 

Cool! No pun intended.

I thought you might be back here to tell us it didn't last long. Glad to hear it's still holding up!

 

Just another update, 13,000 miles and still running great.