Head Gasket Help

[mattmcdan]

Hey guys, I have a few quick questions about the install of my new heads. I have the head gaskets out of the box, they are both identical, they both say front on one end of the gasket ON BOTH sides. Heres where it gets tricky... The head gaskets only have water jackets on one end. If I put the gasket on the block, the front water jacket is exposed(open) on the passenger side, If I do this on the driver side, the rear water jacket is exposed (open) I'm sure both head gaskets are facing up as the chamber grooves are up and look like this |OOOO| and on the back side its flat engine mating side. Is it possible the gasket company gave me the wrong gaskets? Or does the water jacket holes not matter if one is exposed at front and one at rear?

 

[Roland69]

I always thought they were both the same.

 

[mattmcdan]

Ok so I called up the gasket maker (corteco) they say that one water jacket goes front, and 1 water jacket goes rear on the block.. Does this sound right?

 

[Roland69]

I'm pretty sure thats right. On a chevy it's right there is no left head and right head so I was assuming the same way with ford's

 

[Raginstang]

You should have gotten 2 EXACT same headgaskets. the same part number and everything, one gasket will go on upside down. but make sure you have the words FRONT facing the radiator. other than that. your good to go, not all of the holes are used for coolant.

 

[Roland69]

^^^ me like your avatar

 

[mattmcdan]

Ive never heard of a head gasket going on upside down?

 

[mattmcdan]

Anyone have a chiltons or haynes they can double check this?

 

[mattmcdan]

bumpity bump

 

[04sleeper]

Ive never heard of a head gasket going on upside down?

Raginstang is right on.

One goes on upside down.

The important thing is that both gaskets are placed on with FRONT facing the front of the car.

This is why one is upside down.

It is normal. It is so the coolant runs around the block correctly.

 

[Raginstang]

yes, you should get 2 gaskets that are exactly the same, you will realize that you cant install them both straight up with front facing forward unless you turn one upside down. make sure the big coolant passages are in the back of the block. pretty hard to mess up as long as you have the words FRONT facing the front of the the car, as said before, its normal to place one upside down. its not really upside down, just how it works! oh roland69 thanks for the avatar comment, I stole it from someone a long time ago