the correct headgasket is critical. I had to remove a head of a punto and the oil gallery hole hadnt lined up starving the cam of oil. Quite incrediably the cam never seiezd up !

The garage that originally fitted the wrong head gasket said it was the exhaust that was making the car sound nosiey ! whereas it was the lack of oil.

Most importantlly the heads need skimming when they overheat, has it been machined. there is an oversized headgasket available if too much has to be taken off the head.

It's critical on any engine - if the differences didn't matter, the aftermarket suppliers would just use one part number and list it as suitable for two, or more, models.

Could not have put it better myself.

Will add that different gaskets can be a different thickness as well, if the replacement s too thin it will increase compression ratio and risk valves hitting pistons, both will damage your engine. If the new one is thicker you will get very poor performance.

Your mechanic is having a laugh nad its costing you a small fortune no doubt.

Sorry to hear of your woes-pretty incompetent mechanic.

I'm still not convinced of the value of skimming the head as a matter of course. I've done three head gaskets (different cars), never skimmed and they stayed sealed.

Sending the head off is a hassle and expensive most people can well do without. Just check the face with a straight edge and feeler gauge. No warp (or negligible warp),=no skim.

TTY bolts on the other hand are strictly single use!