The stock gasket looked really close to the bores as is. Going larger might cause the gasket to hang over into the bore a little bit. Cometic offers a 92 mm bore gasket which would give you the extra area around the bore for clearance purposes. If the bore center lines are off as well then this is a good choice. With an open deck block bore center lines can shift over time.

In a closed deck block it's more from over heating and poor casting and machining at the foundry.

Normally the HG fails due to excessive cylinder pressure normally caused by detonation.

The HG is the fuse of the engine much like the clutch is the fuse of the drivetrain. Would you rather have the head gasket fail or a piston?

Which is better depends on your application.

 

You missed my point. Everyone is sharing stories of headgasket failure - whether it be OEM or aftermarket. 99% of the time headgasket failure is caused by factors other than the headgasket. Whos to say in one situation where a cometic failed an OEM would have not?

Point is either will get the job done making either a good choice. If you have headgasket failure find out why instead of just replacing and blaming the gasket.

 

great info! from all of you.

 

OEM i am sure toyota knows how to make a gasket that will not blow easily