OEM or Aftermarket Head & Intake manifold Gaskets?

[seachunk2]

I need Head & Intake Manifold Gaskets for a 1995 4.3LX Mercruiser. I find Fel-Pro kits for about $70 shipped whereas OEM gaskets are double+ that price.Anyone use aftermarket gaskets or should I stick with OEM?

 

[JVM225]

Never had a problem with Fel-Pro..
Doubt that Mercruiser makes their gaskets themselves., could be wrong.

 

[Bruce Herrington]

I’ve used after market gaskets, risers and elbows on my old 318 and current 454’s with no problems.

 

[pdecat]

Raw water or fresh water cooled?

 

[seachunk2]

Raw water Cooled
(Salt water)

 

[alien1952]

Fel-Pro all the time

 

[Padraig]

Most performance Marine engine builders prefer Cometic gaskets.

Padraig

 

[LouC]

I used Fel-Pro on my top end engine overhaul and I used Barr Marine for manifolds and elbows. Both seem fine.

 

[pdecat]

I think raw water head gaskets may be special. Ask Charlie.

 

[LouC]

Just use Fel-Pro's marine gasket set. They have one style for the early 4.3s and one for the later ones....

 

[gaineso]

Fel-Pro has been around forever. I've used them on car engines many times. No complaints.

 

[jtybt15]

As GVP used to say, You can get the gaskets right next to their oil refinery and foundry.

As long as you prep the mounting surfaces, most any quality gasket will work...probably all made at the same place.

The most important thing to consider is the width of the manifold wall between the water and exhaust on exhaust components. If you manna get really picky, The amount of play of the pieces have a direct effect on the surface area being torqued together.

The best gaskets to use are the silicone, and maybe nitrile, for low torque areas like oil pan, valve cover and maybe intake. They're re-usable.