I'm going to replace the intake manifold gasket on my 84 245ti and I'm confused as to whether or not the Elring gasket is acceptable or whether it's critical to purchase Genuine from a Volvo dealer (I don't live near a dealer.)

Opinions/experiences one way or the other?

Thanks!
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1966 122s + 1984 245ti = much to learn!

The Elring is good. Make sure they ship Elring though. It will say Elring right on it. I believe they are the manufacturer of genuine Volvo intake gaskets. They look the same to me.
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Thanks everyone for all the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, turbo bars and wheels, M46; 86 244, B230, 150k , auto.

The source of my dilema is a post on brickboard from last November saying: "Yeah, don't get the cheap aftermarket gasket, get the good phenolic/composite Volvo gasket. The FCP one is pure crap, and had to be modified to fit properly."

The FCP website says theirs is manufactured by Elring, and IPDs does as well.

I'm wondering if maybe it's a case of same manufacturer but different gasket?

Called IPD just now. They said they're "not sure what Volvo uses but Elring gaskets are very good."

I'm still a little baffled...
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1966 122s + 1984 245ti = much to learn!

I've heard good things about Elring and have used them before with good results. Once I ordered an Elring and received a generic one with no name on it. Against my better judgement, I went ahead and used it. It did not last. From now on it's either Elring or Volvo for me, or maybe some other top brand that I might learn about. My last intake gasket was a genuine Volvo. I had to trim off two little pieces that weren't necessary on my 81. No big deal. I have in front of me those two pieces and an Elring intake gasket to compare the material. Both are green but not the same shade. The Volvo gasket is softer and more flexible than the Elring. I'm not saying this matters. I'm just relaying the differences I can see and feel. I know that a lot of Brickboarders use Elring and recommend them, and you couldn't go wrong with Volvo either. The intake gasket I bought from Volvo cost me about $20.

I know what you mean about wondering whether or not the same manufacturer might make products in various quality levels. This could well be true. I've always thought that just because a manufacturer was/is the OE manufacturer that this doesn't necessarily mean that the product you or I might buy from them is the exact same thing we might buy from the dealer. The parts market is so variable and confusing that it's tough to know what's going on sometimes.
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Thanks everyone for all the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, turbo bars and wheels, M46; 86 244, B230, 150k , auto.

Elring gaskets are just fine. The ones that comes from FCP have extra gasket material for water passages that are plugged on the B230. Apparently this gasket also fits earlier OHC engines that had water passages in the intake manifold. Sharp pair of scissors removes the "extra" real quick. I would guess this is the modification that the other post refered to. Good luck,rcs