aftermarket gaskets

[kenmorton]

Head gaskets blown on my honda v6 (kit car). No real problem. Left hand one available from honda belgium in 2 days but right hand one on back order from honda japan expected mid july plus they are £50.00 each inc vat even after discount. No aftermarket ones available over here.
Ebay USA have loads of places that have unknown aftermarket ones in stock for $25-30 per pair plus aprox $45 shipping (4 days). I have ordered 2 sets which works out cheaper than 1 oem honda gasket over here and will get me back on the road by the weekend and will hopefully last untill honda get some more back into stock.
But going on the price are they realy just a load of sh*te or might they last a few k miles ?


p.s. there was one dealer in the states had oem honda gaskets for $35 each (aprox £23) but wouldn't ship internationally.

[anonymous-user]

Head gaskets for my 2,2 Lotus cost about 100 pound each by the time I ship from the UK, but we have a guy in town (I live in Malaysia) who can make them up, all he need is a pattern, he builds steel gaskets and lots of race speciels, great quality. So the fact there is brand name means nothing. But I'd buy one and see what its like, of its good you only need one, and if it rubbish you wouldn't want to use the second one anyway.

[paintman]

Years ago I replaced the head gasket on a Scimitar (3litre Essex engine)with one made by A.n.other maker instead of the genuine Ford one. Lasted all of 300 miles. (Head & block were fine, I had access to reconditioning equipment at the time)
Just after I'd fitted it the owners club mag arrived advising not to use other than genuine due to rapid failure.
Genuine one fitted, no further problem.
As a result, its genuine parts HG on any of our vehicles.
But if you can't get, then you don't have a lot of choice other than fit & hope.

Edited by paintman on Thursday 28th May 02:24

[Trooper2]

The OEM Gasket supplier to Honda is Ishino if that helps any, found quite a few aftermarket supliers for Ishino head gaskets here in the U.S. (after quick Google) so I would think you would be source them from other than a dealer.

Edited by Trooper2 on Thursday 28th May 03:03

[stevieturbo]

Cometic in the US can do custom gaskets...although they wont be cheap.



Although I'm sure there are plenty of places around the world who could do similar...again it all boils down to money.

[kenmorton]

Got in touch with cometic UK agent to see if they had done any in the states for my engine but not been done yet. Not sure I need to be the first one to shell out for all the initial set up costs especially as an australian race engine builder is getting a reliable 550 bhp out of these (turboed) engines with standard honda gaskets and head bolts.
There were a few dealers in the states offering Isheno gaskets but the only ones offering international shipping the total delivered prices were more expensive that honda UK supply.