Best Gasket

Sealing Automotive History Since the 1940s

When it comes to preserving the engines of classic American automobiles, few names carry the credibility of Best Gasket — known in the industry simply as BESTgasket. Founded in the 1940s by Jack Best, the company began by manufacturing and selling a full line of automotive gaskets along the West Coast. By the 1980s, BESTgasket had sharpened its focus almost entirely on the vintage market, becoming a dedicated resource for restorers and builders who demand correct, high-quality sealing solutions for engines that many mainstream suppliers have long since abandoned.

American-Made Quality with Decades of Expertise

Headquartered in Whittier, California, BESTgasket is proud that approximately 95% of its products are manufactured right here in the USA. While the brand has never relied heavily on advertising, its reputation has been built the old-fashioned way — through consistent craftsmanship, knowledgeable distributors, and word-of-mouth praise from engine builders and restoration professionals across the country. The company was acquired in 1996 by Craig Weaver and Armin Brown, who shifted the focus from price leadership alone to an unwavering commitment to quality — without sacrificing value.

Flagship Products: Head Gaskets & Rear Main Seals

BESTgasket's two standout product lines are its head gaskets and rear main seals — areas where vintage engine builders have historically struggled to find reliable modern solutions. Head gaskets are available in two premium configurations: a copper-style gasket using thick copper outer sheets and a superior low-density graphite filler, and the brand's proprietary GraphTite™ design, which combines expanded graphite facings over a tin-plated perforated steel core. GraphTite™ head gaskets offer excellent chemical resistance, outstanding bolt torque retention, and heat resistance for demanding performance applications.

On the rear main seal front, BESTgasket tackled a problem that plagued vintage car enthusiasts after asbestos rope seals were discontinued in the 1990s. The non-asbestos replacements that followed were notoriously difficult to trim and prone to leaks. BESTgasket developed two solutions: rubber replacement seals for select engines where only rope seals had previously been available, and their GraphTite™ rope-style seal — a precision-cut, wick-style product that has earned widespread acclaim from engine builders working on everything from flathead Fords to classic Pontiacs and Hemi-powered Mopars.

Engine Rebuilding Sets & Broad Vehicle Coverage

Beyond individual gaskets, BESTgasket offers comprehensive engine rebuilding sets — meticulously assembled kits designed so that restorers never find themselves short a gasket mid-build. These sets cover a wide spectrum of vintage American iron, with coverage spanning AMC, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet/GMC, Chrysler, Ford, Hudson, Lincoln, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pontiac, Studebaker, Willys, and more. Every kit is intentionally complete, reflecting the brand's understanding that a missing gasket can cost valuable shop time on a restoration project.

Custom Gasket Solutions

BESTgasket also offers custom die-cut gasket manufacturing for automotive, diesel, tractor, and motorcycle applications. Whether a gasket has been discontinued or a small-run production need arises, BESTgasket's in-house capabilities and material manufacturing partnerships allow them to produce custom head gaskets and engine seals starting at low minimum quantities — making them a practical partner for niche restoration and specialty engine projects.

For the classic car enthusiast or professional engine builder who refuses to settle for ill-fitting, low-quality modern substitutes, BESTgasket represents a genuine American manufacturing success story — one gasket at a time.