Ted, that's my answer as well and Best gaskets are made in the USA. The fact that I had much less to no water sippage at all made me a believer.

-Gary Burnette-

Thanks for the response on the Fel-Pro gaskets, I rebuilt the 406 in my Galaxie three years ago and used the Permatorque gaskets from Fel Pro and so far haven't had a problem one but the heads and block were decked to clean things up as it was the first time the engine was overhauled.

   I used the Best Gaskets set on my Bird when I rebuilt it and no problems. Always nice to have a Y-Block  parts store like Mummerts to get the right stuff and not worry about the overseas stuff.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

The Best Gasket brand of head gaskets for the Y are more open around the pushrod holes and this allows for a better distribution of torque around the cylinders themselves by not having to press down as heavy at the top of the decks.  There is less chance of leakage around the water holes in the deck with the Best Gasket brand than with the FelPro’s for this reason.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I’ll place the Best Gasket brand at the top with the FelPro’s at a close second.  I use both and find that some coolant weepage can occur with the FelPro’s at the bottom of the heads when everything is not perfect.  I don’t see that issue with the Best Gasket brand.  Neither brand requires any sealer though if using the FelPro permatorque's.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Hey there Fordy Guy.I am in Canada but I BUY my parts out of the USA mostly.Its getting VERY difficult to find parts MADE in the USA.I managed to get a complete set of NORS valves made in the USA for my engine rebuild as opposed to buying valves made in Pakistan but being sold by a US business and for LESS money than the PAKI set.I am overhauling my front suspension and I ordered 2 lower control arm mounting kits(new bolts and bushings)from Dennis Carpenter who I thought was one of the few manufacturers still making parts in the USA.I was surprised and dissappointed when I got them this week and the box said "Made in China".I emailed Carpenters and told them how I felt and also pointed out that the supplied nuts were half as wide as the originals and that I would now have to buy 4 fullsize nuts because In dont feel the half nuts have enough thread contact area.They sort of appolagized and offered a refund but also pointed out that these were the only replacements available.I am going o use them because mine are badly corroded but I HOPE there is some quality checks being made on these offshore parts.Engine bearings being marketed by Clevite made in ISRAEL and lifters made in China.The list is endless these days.As I said its nice to buy American-if you can find it! This is why I try for NOS or NORS parts when I can find them.Thats where I find Ebay very good.Parts you cant find elsewhere at a usually fair price made in USA.

  

Thanks Gary! I assume you are referring to the head gaskets more than the rest of the gaskets?What is the supposed advantage of the "open" area where the pushrods pass through can anyone tell me?

  

So,,, where does Fel-Pro fall in this catagory of gasket sets?

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

I find the Best gasket seals better than the others I've tried and you don't have to put any sealer on them.

-Gary Burnette-

Is it the different design of head gasket that you find is superior to the Victor ones?

  

I play with GMC 6cy as well as Y blocks. I prefer Best gaskets for both. Victor is a premium gasket, but in my opinion best is even better.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas