[cubs-n-bxrs]

I have in the past used the gaskets without the fire ring and had very poor luck. They blew out within a month. Pure garbage if you ask me. As far as solid graphite couldn't tell you. We have graphite gasket material in sheet form at work. Maybe someday I will cut out a head gasket and see how it holds up. Some of the older Briggs and Tecumseh engines used graphite gaskets with good luck. I will only buy original Kohler or Stens head gaskets. Stens also have the fire ring as well