Abstract: A diesel head gasket assembly comprising a heat sensitive, multilayer main body defining water and oil apertures and combustion openings and fire rings each comprising an annulus supported in the combustion openings by individual spaced U-shaped tabs. The tabs are bonded to the annulus by a spot-weld or adhesive mass and support the annulus in the combustion opening. Desirably when the gasket is installed between the head and block and they are closed, the annulus may break away from the tabs, i.e., to break or rupture the spot-weld or adhesive mass or bond, so that the annulus may readily move to an elevation relative to the main body different from the initial position of the annulus.