SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Federal-Mogul says its engineers have developed a sophisticated head gasket “stopper layer” technology that represents a new standard in the aftermarket when it comes to cylinder head sealing. The company’s innovative LaserWeld stopper layer design is now available in Fel-Pro PermaTorque multi-layer-steel (MLS) head gaskets for a broad range of late-model automotive engines.

The new LaserWeld feature provides a precisely determined limit to the compression of the multiple layers within an MLS head gasket while ensuring proper sealing stress between the cylinder head and block, the company says. This helps reduce head lift commonly encountered in many late-model engines, prevents gasket damage and ensures a superior combustion seal. The technology was developed at Federal-Mogul’s sealing technology center in Burscheid, Germany, and has been proven in NASCAR Sprint Cup engines, according to Federal-Mogul. Nine of the 12 cars in last year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup – including series champion Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet – were equipped with Fel-Pro PermaTorque MLS head gaskets featuring LaserWeld technology, the company points out. “Fel-Pro head gaskets have been the choice of most NASCAR engine builders for more than 25 years, and our LaserWeld technology is continuing this dominance in today’s era of lighter-weight, ultra-high-output engines,” said Fel-Pro Product Manager Jim Daigle.