50 of the facing surface area leaving at least 50 exposed as will be apparent the graphite therefore becomes more densified in the zones of the foil that increased density will serve to increase the unit sealing stress of the gasket assembly in the zone of the covered portions of the facings i e in the zone of the foil pattern as compared to the sealing stress in the facings outside the covered portions thereby enhancing the sealing characteristics thereat further because the protective foil surrounds and overlies the coolant zone in the block and is disposed in the zone of the coolant passageways in the head the foil will protect the graphite facings from erosion by the coolant additionally in the zones of the foil 30 the foil serves to protect the graphite facings 16 from erosion and abrasion due to the minute relative movement of the head with respect to the block this helps preserve the sealing characteristics of the gasket assembly and to prolong its life the metallic core and metallic layers 30 also act as heat sinks to transfer heat and to contribute to a cooler running engine fig6 and 7 illustrate another application of the present invention as there shown the head gasket assembly 100 comprises a laminated main body 110 having a metallic core 114 and a pair of compressed expanded graphite facings 116 the core may be tanged.