hi sages- as an apprentice on volvos with the board being my tutors, i have noticed in the last 2 1/2 years certain common complaints. the one here is head gaskets seem to be a common weakness on the 240 engine. this is strange because the durability otherwise of this engine is legendary and in the slant six class of good engineering. never had to do a head job on a slant six or a 318 v8 in my dodges/plymouths where most of my experience is. what is it about the 240 engine that makes it prone to weak head gaskets. my experience with tanks going back to 64 also tells me there is no special problem with 4 cyl engines. uncle moe told me the general problem with 4 cyl. engines is they wear out earlier than 6s and 8s because they are always running with their tongues hanging out. had a 62 chevy ll with an inline 4 and while not a doll of an engine , never blew a head gasket. if the gasket design itself is prone to failure, cant a more durable one be designed? would appreciate you sage folks giving me the skinny on this. thanks tons oldduke ps- my hunch is that a weak gasket design plus an aluminum head and block is a bad combination.