Which head gasket do I return??

[Argee]

Ladies and Gentlemen....Once again I need your advice......

I'm slowly rebuilding the engine of my GS1100 GL and I bought a NE gasket kit. Unfortunately, I found that a couple of the gaskets didn't fit (Clutch cover and Rocker cover.) So I phoned my supplier who was very helpful and sent me a complete Athena gasket kit and asked that I send back (in the supplied envelope) the gaskets that I do not use.
My question is, which head gasket do I use?
The NE one looks well made but is essentially a paper type with metal inserts. The Athena one is made up of 3 layers - what looks like black coated metal or plastic sandwiching a shiny metal layer. I'm guessing that the Athena one will last longer, but is it better?

As always,your advice very gratefully received!

[Agemax]

they look totally different? which one fits correctly?

[steveb922]

I don't know much about NE gaskets. Athena can be a bit hit and miss. I've used them in the past with mixed results. I stick with OEM for head and base gaskets these days. They're more expensive, but they fit and seal correctly.

From your description, I'd try the Athena, but be prepared for the possibility of failure. Not definite, just possible.

[hannibal]

OEM only for gaskets.

[Nessism]

OEM only for gaskets.

This mantra has been repeated here countless times, along with photos demonstrating leakage with aftermarket gaskets, yet we continue to get questions.

[Argee]

Oh dear....... Nessim and Hannibal, if you knew of someone who had not realised that there was such a problem with gasket sets and had then made the 'schoolboy error' of purchasing a gasket set without looking at the forum what would....................hmmm.......I'm guessing that you probably would still say buy an OEM one anyway....

The NE one does look like a really good fit despite it being made of a card-like material...... Decision time........

[Brendan W]

I fitted an NE set two years ago and so far no issues. That said I did have to adjust a hole or two to get the head gasket to fit and the fire rings were not exactly centred on the bores.
There is a shop near here. The owner is a 70s 80s rebuild enthusiast and he swears by Athena.

[posplayr]

I fitted an NE set two years ago and so far no issues. That said I did have to adjust a hole or two to get the head gasket to fit and the fire rings were not exactly centred on the bores.
There is a shop near here. The owner is a 70s 80s rebuild enthusiast and he swears by Athena.

The lime green Athena base gaskets are the best. Ed has a complete photo gallery of the shriveled up remains!

[Nessism]

There is a shop near here. The owner is a 70s 80s rebuild enthusiast and he swears by Athena.

Don't trust him.

[Brendan W]

Don't trust him.

I don't neccessarily. I'm just looking at the diversity of experience on this issue. Granted that some or even a lot of so called experience is actually opinion in fancy dress.
If I recall correctly there was some surprise at the green goo at the time and questions were asked about Vesrah as well as Athena as to whether they were going through a bad patch, change of owner, relocated plant etc etc.
Based on what I read here, I would fit oem for a paying customer.
For better or worse I have fitted NE base, head etc. Stem seals did not survive my fitting them and were replaced with set of Athena and touch wood everything is hunky dory. Granted I sprayed the base gasket with Al paint because of the hatchet job down there from a previous job.