Are fel-pro gaskets (not HG) any good?

[knochgoon24]

About 3 weeks ago I planned on replacing the front main seal, but it rained so I never got around to it. Now I'm pulling my engine in 2 weeks to give it a whole work over before I head back up to school. It's leaking oil from everywhere and I'm doing a timing belt change and a BSE. I might even paint the block if funds are left.

Anyways, I've been looking for gaskets, and I found a pretty good deal on fel-pro ones from the rockauto site. I'm not going to take the head off, but I plan to replace just about every other gasket. I can get a complete gasket set for $127.58 (even includes a felt fel-pro HG if I get desperate at a later date... .)

My other option is to order an Engine Gasket Kit from Street Tunned Motorsports. It is all OEM gaskets (except throttle body and HG) but it runs for $240.

I could really use that extra $110 somewhere else, like new accessory belts b/c the old ones are covered in oil. Are these fel-pros good or should I get the OEM kit?

Also, is it really necessary to replace the water pump?

 

[kingjust]

About 3 weeks ago I planned on replacing the front main seal, but it rained so I never got around to it. Now I'm pulling my engine in 2 weeks to give it a whole work over before I head back up to school. It's leaking oil from everywhere and I'm doing a timing belt change and a BSE. I might even paint the block if funds are left.

Anyways, I've been looking for gaskets, and I found a pretty good deal on fel-pro ones from the rockauto site. I'm not going to take the head off, but I plan to replace just about every other gasket. I can get a complete gasket set for $127.58 (even includes a felt fel-pro HG if I get desperate at a later date... .)

My other option is to order an Engine Gasket Kit from Street Tunned Motorsports. It is all OEM gaskets (except throttle body and HG) but it runs for $240.

I could really use that extra $110 somewhere else, like new accessory belts b/c the old ones are covered in oil. Are these fel-pros good or should I get the OEM kit?

Also, is it really necessary to replace the water pump?

Personally, if you feel that the gasket is pretty "meaty", and not to paper-ish, some copper spray on it and properly torqued down part should make that thing all good. Emphasising on the copper spray!

KJ

 

[talon187]

ive used alot of fel pro gaskets no issues. but if i were you id pull the head off do a mistu 4 layer and arp head studs

 

[WarSaw]

I would go with the fel-pro as well. I have used many fel-pro gaskets and even a fel-pro headgasket now with no problems so far.

 

[lowandsleekDSM]

Yea i used Fel-Pro gaskets when i rebuilt the 351 windsor in my old f-250 and those gaskets are very nice in my own opinion. i recommend them to anyone.

 

[drivemusicnow]

They work fine. Fel-Pro makes half of the OEM gaskets for all cars anyway.

 

[98GSXtreme07]

As you can tell you can't go wrong with them! I highly recommend them!

 

[T is for TURBO]

Well, my dad swears by them, although he is a former V8 guy (now bimmer guy, go figure). However, I bought the oem kit, but it was missing a few gaskets, such as the throttle body to throttle body elbow gasket, so I bought one from autozone for 2 bucks and I was a little disappointed. It was a fel-pro, but it was a paper gasket. The reason I was disappointed is becasue the OEM tb to tb elbow gasket is metal. But I took my dad's word for their quality and put it on anyway. The engine still isn't in the car yet so I can't give to a quality report on it yet, but I definatly sprayed it down with copperspray!

You should note, however, that the best gasket in the world doesn't mean sh!t if it isn't put on properly. Make sure that both surfaces are CLEAN and smooth and that the bolts are torqued properly. And as suggested earlier, copper spray it!

EDIT: don't mess with headgaskets though... If you plan on going for more power, go with the 3 layer metal headgasket for sure! Even better if you throw in a set of ARP head studs. If you go that route, DEFINATLY make sure the surfaces are perfect, copper spray and torqe properly. With the moly lube that comes with the studs, you'll want to torque 65 lb ft, then 75 lb ft, then finally 85 lb ft. Make sure you wait a few minutes between each time you torque them. After about 1.5k to 3k, you'll want to re-torque them to 85 lb ft.

 

[ArcaineGST]

I use Fel-Pro as well. 1+