Modern cars are usually manufactured with an engine block and a cylinder head located on top. This reason makes the gasket become a very critical seal between the two essential engine parts. The gasket is the seal located between the cylinder head and the engine block.
The gasket is usually designed with bored holed for holding the pistons. The gasket will thus be left to perform the sealing task between the cylinder head and the engine block. The gasket must also be designed to maintain a sealing need and prevent leakages between two critical engine parts when subjected to a compression process. The primary purpose of using a gasket is to seal the cylinders to ensure maximum compression.
The car's head gasket is usually exposed to various elements of the vehicle, including fuel, exhaust gases, oil, and water. It is therefore designed in a manner that it can overcome all the pressure from either side.