expert opinion on head replacements needed

[Idwitheld-1`]

Tonight I replaced both heads on the 88lx. I am absolutely certain I got the passenger head gasket on properly with the rear water galleys matching the gasket (meaning front of gasket = front of block). However, I can't remember specifically inspecting the drivers side head gasket for proper orientation (I'm sure I did this, but am second guessing myself now).

Is there a way to proove the gasket is on properly (front of gasket is at front of block) without pulling the head off?

Can I remove the rear freeze plug and look down in there to proove the two rear large galleys are not blocked?

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

The gaskets were felpro.
I just checked the passenger side which I know is on correctly. The grey side is facing up. In theory the drivers side should not have grey facing up. I looked, and it has the blue side facing up. Therefore, I am confident I have them on correct.

What do you think? Reasonable assumption?

 

[89streetbeast]

when i changed head gaskets on the 89 i put felpro's on it. the blue part was facing down on the block. gray side up both sides. havent leaked yet.

to put it in better theory: drivers side water jackets are open in rear of block, pass side is open in front of block.

 

[Rick 91GT]

What PT# were the gaskets? Does it overheat currently?

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

Rick, I stopped after heads were torqued. I looked at the old gaskets and noticed I put the new gaskets on exactly as the old gaskets. Meaning pass side was grey up and drivers was blue up. The "front" on the gaskets does match the front of the motor.

It looks like felpro used the same patern and just flips the gasket. I'll get the part number in a while. Thanks for all your help.

 

[txstang84]

that's how the 8548's I used look right now; driver side-blue up, pass side-gray up.

...if you get vesuvius about 3-5 minutes after startup (not counting "burping" the system) you'll know for sure

 

[89streetbeast]

n/m i see what your saying with the blue color. mine are a different design. my bad lol.

 

[jrichker]

Front is supposed to go towards the front. That way the water passage lines up no matter which side of the engine you put the gasket on. Doing it that way with the front marking saved the manufacuturers from making a RH gasket and a LH gasket.

 

[TheBocSez]

Here's a pretty easy way to tell without removing anything. Look at the front of the block where the head meets the block. If you can see a corner of the Head gasket protruding, its on right.

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

Hey, thebocsez, I just noticed that on the head gasket instructions from felpro. Way cool way of KNOWING you did it right rather than guessing.

Thanks all.

 

[TheBocSez]

Yeah, I went through the same 2nd guessing myself when I replaced mine. Saved me a bunch of grief and stress.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Yeah, I went through the same 2nd guessing myself when I replaced mine. Saved me a bunch of grief and stress.

Unfortunatly that is not true for ALL the different Fel-Pro head gaskets, but it is for the 8548-PT2

 

[TheBocSez]

It was true for the 1011-1's I replaced and I think its true for the 9333-1 I just put on, havent checked it on the 9333's cause I triple checked it at install. Do you know which ones its not true on?

 

[Rick 91GT]

I'll have to see if I can find the number, I had a customer bring me some gaskets one time and they were Fel-Pro that were different. I typically use the 1011-1(-2) or the MLS style nowdays both which stick out. The only issue the MLS style you have to be careful since they do not have the tabs going into the lifter valley, so you need to put some silicone down in that area or it will leak oil.

 

[txstang84]

I'll have to see if I can find the number, I had a customer bring me some gaskets one time and they were Fel-Pro that were different. I typically use the 1011-1(-2) or the MLS style nowdays both which stick out. The only issue the MLS style you have to be careful since they do not have the tabs going into the lifter valley, so you need to put some silicone down in that area or it will leak oil.

...good tip, I'll have to keep that in mind.

 

[TheBocSez]

OT but if I wanted to change to a MLS gasket, would any special machine work be required? Do they require a special machined surface to seal?

the reason I am asking is that I am adding a low boost SC next month. I know the 9333's have a good rep for surviving boost but if they dont, I'll probably give the MLS a shot.