4.0L Swap - Gasket Manufactures?

[belovedb2]

I am cleaning and putting on new gaskets on my 4.0L doner engine. I noticed a number of manufactures for gaskets such as Corteco, Fel-pro and Rol Gaskets. What is the difference between these gaskets made by these manugacturers? Any guidance on the selection?

 

[AllanD]

Like I just said in another topic:

"Buying cheap tools is never a bargain"

Strike the word "Tools" and insert the word "Gaskets" and
the statement is just as true.

Say it with me now: "Buying cheap Gaskets is never a bargain"

IF you insist on replacing all the gaskets in an engine get
Ford, Felpro or Victor.

Personally I'd suggest against pulling the heads off of ANY "Cologne"
engine unless you want to get some idea of what broke AFTER it's already
known to be irretrievably dead.

BTW, on the 2.9 and 4.0 the headbolts are "one use" so when removed
they go straight into the trash...

I keep a coffee can full of them for use in holding my exhaust system
together... Once assembled they rust and I can't get them apart...
(this is actually desireable because they won't vibrate loose)
So out comes sparky the magic smoke wrench and I just cut them off.
I got spares.

about five years ago I decided the only reason I'll take one apart is to collect any "trophies" from inside the engine...
Bent rods, broken pistons, etc...

Ask any old mechanic... Most keep a similar trophy collection
I have one drawer in my big Mac Roll cabinet dedicated to my chamber or horrors

From mutilated rods and bent valves to a piston with a valve BROKEN OFF and imbedded in the top of the piston inverted, to a MELTED turbine wheel, to a turbo compressor wheel that lost ALL it's blades...(made the weirdest noise when it failed

AD

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

I'll only use Ford gaskets in my 4.0.

In a side by side comparison, even the Felpros look like Taiwanese garbage.

And don't take the heads off.

I put intake gaskets in my 4.0 around the same time my brother did in his 4.0, I used Ford parts, and he used Felpro parts. I haven't touched mine or had an issue since. He's already put 2 more sets in.

 

[Totalled]

I used the new gen of felpro last month on mine. They seem pretty nice... no leaks.