Metal laminate gasket having sealing portions with different surface pressures

A metal laminate gasket for an internal combustion engine having at least one hole to be sealed, comprising:

• a first metal plate including a first base portion extending substantially throughout an entire area of the engine, a first curved portion extending from the first base portion to define a first hole corresponding to the hole of the engine, and a first flange extending from the first curved portion in a direction away from the first hole and located above the first base portion, and
• a second metal plate including a second base portion situated above the first base portion at a side of the first flange and extending substantially throughout an entire area of the first base portion, a second curved portion extending from the second base portion to define a second hole having a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first flange so that the first flange is located inside the second curved portion when the first and second plates are assembled, and a second flange extending from the second curved portion in a direction away from the second hole and located above the second base portion, the thickness of the first plate being greater than the thickness of the second plate and less than a double thickness of the second plate so that when the gasket is compressed, the second flange provides surface pressure greater than that at the first flange to securely seal around the hole of the engine away from the first flange.