i will be rebuilding my 3.0 for my 4runner sone and was wondering which head gasket is better. should i go with a graphite head gasket or a mls head gasket?

 

man if its possible, id try to get ahold of an asbestos head gasket. you might be able to have one shipped from japan. i dunno.

 

i would use mls gaskets

 

mls is a good choice

 

Just remember that some MLS head gaskets require a finer than normal finish on the block.. Check before going MLS.

 

You could, however, get some graphite gaskets for the exhaust manifolds. Remflex.com. I have one on my 22re, I like it.

 

have any of you guys had any problems with either aftermarket gasket?

 

I have always used the graphite. I torqued the heads to 55 lbs and the short one to 40 and have not had any problems so far. I rebuilt my heads by lapping the valves (valves polished in a drill press) and installing new guide seals. I Lightly sanded the face of the head with a long body file using several grades of paper. The block got new rings and oversize bearings. That was 18 months ago and now at 21K miles all is well. I did not go back an torque the head bolts a second time. So far, so good for a cheap rebuild. My success may be from not using the crossover pipe. I created a second down pipe on the passenger side to mitigate the heat at #6. That is where most head gaskets fail as indicated from my research.

My $0.02