Engine Mechanical
Head Gasket
A head gasket seals the joint between the cylinder head and the block, keeping combustion, coolant and oil in their own passages. We carry 39 head gaskets and sets from $22 to $219 for Chevrolet engines from 1980-2023, from Felpro, Mahle and AC Delco, with fits for the Corvette, Equinox and Camaro.
Shop head gasket by vehicle
Signs of a failed head gasket
Common signs include white exhaust smoke with a sweet smell, coolant loss with no visible leak, overheating, milky oil, bubbles in the coolant reservoir and a misfire on one cylinder. An external leak of oil or coolant at the head joint is also possible.
A cooling system pressure test, a combustion leak test or a compression test can help confirm the fault before you take the engine apart.
Left, right and full sets
V6 and V8 engines have two heads, so gaskets are listed by left or right position. Many engines use the same gasket on both sides, but some do not. Head gasket sets include extra gaskets and seals you will disturb during the job.
Head bolts and sealant are not included with the gaskets listed here, so order new bolts if your engine uses torque to yield bolts.
Doing the job right
Check the head and block for flatness with a straightedge and feeler gauge, and have the head machined if it is warped. Clean both surfaces carefully without gouging aluminum.
Install the gasket dry unless the maker says otherwise, follow the bolt sequence and torque steps, and refill and bleed the cooling system. Confirm engine size and year in the fitment table before ordering.
Head Gasket questions
Can you drive with a blown head gasket?
Driving with a leaking head gasket risks overheating and serious engine damage. If you see coolant loss, white smoke or overheating, stop driving and have it diagnosed.
Do I need to replace both head gaskets on a V8?
If one gasket failed, many technicians replace both while the engine is apart, especially on high mileage engines. It saves labor if the other side fails later.
Should I resurface the cylinder head?
Check it for flatness first. If it is warped beyond the maker's limit, have it machined. A warped head can make a new gasket fail.