Abstract: A head gasket assembly is provided comprising a solid non-compressible or rigid gasket body comprising a plurality of apertures for engine coolant, oil and combustion chambers. The gasket body has grooves formed therein for retaining and controlling the compression of elastomeric seals used for sealing engine coolant and oil apertures. The gasket body is then fitted or accompanied by a combustion seal. The combustion seals are specifically designed for the particular engine application, based on temperature, pressure and other operating characteristics. This assembly allows a direct fit with standard engine technology and requires no machining of heads, blocks, or cylinder liners. The result is a gasket body that precisely controls the compression on the seals, which improves engine performance without any machining of the engine while carrying highly elastic compounds to seal coolant and oil.