• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Head gasket orientation need help asap

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90_Red_LX
  • Start date Start date Apr 13, 2007

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
5
19
Asheboro, NC
Apr 13, 2007
#1
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #1
Hey guys, I am trying ot set my heads on the car tonight, but I've ran into a snag. I've always understood that the gaskets shoudl not block any water jackets at all, but given the way my head gaskets are, the ones on the passenger side very back will be blocked, and the ones at my drivers front will be blocked. All other holes look great, but I don't understand why these are blocked, or if they should be. I really want my heads on tonight so if you guys can help, it'll be appreciated. Also, FRONT goes radiator side right? With front on the upside on passenger, down on driver correct? Tabs go towards intake that way. Thanks.
 

Blandnuts

I don't swallow; I only swoosh
Founding Member
Aug 21, 2000
1,172
124
124
FloorDuh
Apr 13, 2007
#2
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #2
They don't have "head side" stamped on them? Or do they just say "front" on them?


fred
 

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
5
19
Asheboro, NC
Apr 13, 2007
#3
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #3
They just say front.
 

Blandnuts

I don't swallow; I only swoosh
Founding Member
Aug 21, 2000
1,172
124
124
FloorDuh
Apr 13, 2007
#4
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #4
Well, I put mine with the front facing towards the radiator.
 

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
3,951
2,906
194
Middle of Maine
Apr 13, 2007
#5
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #5
"Front" on gaskets goes toward front of car. One gasket will have the word front facing up and the other side will face down. The coolant holes should be covered on the front of the block by the gasket. The way the coolant moves thru the engine goes like this. Water comes out of the bottom of the radiator into the water pump where it is pumped into both sides of the block. The coolant travels thru the block and comes up at the back of the block into the cylinder heads, (that is why the coolant holes need to be plugged in the front of the block by the gasket) the coolant enters the rear of the heads and travels forward thru the heads and come up into the front of the intake manifold to the thermostat, and when it opens into the top side of radiator to be cooled down and start the process all over again. Hope this helps
 

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
5
19
Asheboro, NC
Apr 13, 2007
#6
  • Apr 13, 2007
  • #6
Thanks a lot, I feel a lot more comftorable about my gaskets now. I was scared for a while that one was going to be wrong.
 

back2fox

Member
Oct 7, 2006
73
0
6
Apr 14, 2007
#7
  • Apr 14, 2007
  • #7
I know what you mean I felt the same way when I was looking at my head gaskets during my rebuild.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

X
Engine 5.0 Head Gaskets installed wrong block coolant passages???
  • Xam Sirrah
  • Jul 21, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
629
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 22, 2025
Qtrhrse23
Q
T
Fox Convertible top issues
  • TDM389
  • Feb 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
274
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 15, 2026
General karthief
M
Engine 1988 Foxbody - Overheating Summer
  • MDrisc
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
510
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 28, 2025
Mustang5L5
S
Timing chain, guides and tensioner installation (Possible orientation in Intake Stroke)
  • StallionMax
  • Sep 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
369
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 24, 2025
StallionMax
S
Fox Ideas for Theft Deterrence in Storage
  • Clutchfork
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
38
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 1, 2025
91AOD5.0LX
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?