Original Head Gaskets

[Guest]

I bought some NOS gaskets on ebay for cheap that includes a base gasket and head gasket for my 1980 GS1000G.

I will need the square o ring that goes with the head gasket as the original head gasket will require this.

I have an athena gasket set as well that I think I will not use based on much discussion.

My question is do older original gaskets deteriorate over time?

Also, the Athena head gasket I have is a multi layered contraption as compared to the NOS gasket, is the NOS gasket still better quality?

Cheers

John

[rustybronco]

John, I suspect that the material used will deteriorate over time. how much that will affect it's ability to seal properly probably won't amount to very much. I have an old head gasket I bought off Ebay for my 1000 project that I suspect might be made 10~15 years ago. I wouldn't even think twice about using it and the NOS base gasket I bought as well.

The gaskets I'm using for the rest of the engine are some off the wall aftermarket IBCO gaskets. which, except for the cam cover gasket being way too thin for my tastes, appear to be well made. Even though I have the orings that came in the gasket kit I bought and wouldn't hesitate to use them, all the critical seals and orings I plan on using OEM Suzuki as I already had acquired them.

Lets see a picture of that ML head gasket.

[OLDENUFF]

The new OEM gaskets are all the MLS variety which eliminate the square O ring.

[Nessism]

The Athena head gasket might be decent (not sure), but I know for a fact that their base gaskets suck and can't take the clamp load and will extrude out of place.