Hey guys, what's the brand reference out there these days? Subject is head gasket sets. Felpro, Apex, Enginetech, or....?
Gasket brand preference
- Thread starter Wylie6G72
- Start date
Mahle / Victor Reinz
Not FelPro
Not FelPro
For me, OEM is always first choice. My second would be FePro.
If I ever need to replace the head gaskets on a Subaru, I might be tempted to try the Fel-Pro head gaskets, which are supposed to be an improvement over OE 
Otherwise, I'd just get the OE gaskets or Mahle.
But before you replace it, try head gasket sealer first. Bars Leaks HG-1 is very good stuff. People have also had good results with Blue Devil Pour-N-Go. Better to spend $30 and 15 minutes on head gasket sealer than it is to spend hours/days replacing the head gasket, then having to machine the surface, etc.
Otherwise, I'd just get the OE gaskets or Mahle.
But before you replace it, try head gasket sealer first. Bars Leaks HG-1 is very good stuff. People have also had good results with Blue Devil Pour-N-Go. Better to spend $30 and 15 minutes on head gasket sealer than it is to spend hours/days replacing the head gasket, then having to machine the surface, etc.
I dunno who makes 5 Star's MLS gaskets? But that's what I'd do for U-R-a-BusIf I ever need to replace the head gaskets on a Subaru, I might be tempted to try the Fel-Pro head gaskets, which are supposed to be an improvement over OE
Otherwise, I'd just get the OE gaskets or Mahle.
But before you replace it, try head gasket sealer first. Bars Leaks HG-1 is very good stuff. People have also had good results with Blue Devil Pour-N-Go. Better to spend $30 and 15 minutes on head gasket sealer than it is to spend hours/days replacing the head gasket, then having to machine the surface, etc.
edit: I just do what Trav says
I have always used Felpro. Never had a problem.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
OEM or mahle only for me
Kind of a long ugly story. The 3.0 in my '93 Shadow got a remanufactured head put on after multiple failed attempts by my mechanic to stop an oil leak. Basically, I was tired of them piddling around and not actually accomplishing anything so I thought a new head would be the best route to finally get it done. I left it up to the shop to source the re-manufactured head. The oil leak is resolved, but now the car smokes like a bug fogger at startup, or after it is sat for an hour or more. No smoke while running, full throttle, etc. Only at startup. The car has zero history of this behavior before this new head was put on . I've been able to determine that it's oil, not coolant, but I'm not sure if it's the head gasket or the valve seals. No oil in the coolant, no coolant in the oil. So for many reasons besides just this, I've switched shops and have decided rather than get that head resurfaced again and possibly replace whatever bad valve seals may exist in it, I'm just going to order another remanufactured head from a different source and have somebody else install it. The head is ordered, I just wanted everybody's input on what head gasket should be used to finally put these issues to bed.
Cometic MLS for the spicy builds. Copper for extra spicy.
Fel Pro is what I normally use
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2022
- Messages
- 770
Smoke at startup us almost always valve guides / seals. Buying a reman head is likely your problem. A local engine machine shop on the origional head is almost always your best bet.
Reman stuff can be a total crap shoot.
To answer your question, FelPro has always been my choice where available.
Mahle is often Chinatown which is a huge turnoff for me.
Victor is hit or miss depending on application. Would be my second choice if FelPro isn't available. I've been wrenching professionally for 25 years.
Reman stuff can be a total crap shoot.
To answer your question, FelPro has always been my choice where available.
Mahle is often Chinatown which is a huge turnoff for me.
Victor is hit or miss depending on application. Would be my second choice if FelPro isn't available. I've been wrenching professionally for 25 years.
Mitsubishi 3.0, right? I would see what the Mitsu dealers have available. Is the engine SOHC or DOHC?
1993 Mighty Max V6 used MD165614 head gaskets. Its one of the cross reference part numbers for the Fel-Pro 9112PT for 1993 Shadow 3.0.
It will require a little homework to make sure engine is the same, but the gasket is available and probably better quality than aftermarket.
1993 Mighty Max V6 used MD165614 head gaskets. Its one of the cross reference part numbers for the Fel-Pro 9112PT for 1993 Shadow 3.0.
It will require a little homework to make sure engine is the same, but the gasket is available and probably better quality than aftermarket.
SOHC. Never really gave any thought to calling a Mitsubishi dealer. It would shock the heck out of me if they were actually able to get one.
If you tell them 93 Shadow, it will probably blow their minds.
But the SOHC 3.0 was used in many Mitsubishi and Chrysler Corp. cars, minivans, and the Mighty Max. The MD165614 part number seems to be the SOHC 3.0 head gasket part number from Mitsubishi, and it crosses to the current Shadow 3.0 head gaskets. It may be worth doing some homework for.
For giggles, I may call them and ask them for a '92 Montero cylinder head.
For sure they can get parts. That engine (IIRC) is installed around the world.
I could still buy OEM parts for my Trooper if I wanted to wait.
Loose guides or bad seals
Since it's a Mitsubishi 3.0, and those are very common, maybe now is the time to swap in a DOHC 3.0 or better yet, a turbo
Is it possible to swap AWD parts from other K-cars? Make yourself a Dodge Shadow R/T VR-4!
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2022
- Messages
- 770
Ahhh, my memory has been jogged! The SOHC Mits 3.0 was a known smoker and valve cover Gasket leaker.
Cast aluminum valve covers with a rubber gasket which would shrink with heat and time leaking oil onto the exhaust etc.
Also know for leaky valve guides which made some smoke like 2-strokes. If you want to keep the engine, I'd highly recommend sending your heads to a local engine machine shop for guide replacement and guide seal upgrade.
Cast aluminum valve covers with a rubber gasket which would shrink with heat and time leaking oil onto the exhaust etc.
Also know for leaky valve guides which made some smoke like 2-strokes. If you want to keep the engine, I'd highly recommend sending your heads to a local engine machine shop for guide replacement and guide seal upgrade.
