Head gaskets installed backwards???

HoofnIt · Nov 13, 2005

What would the symptoms be if the head gasket's water ports did not line up right (the front was towards the back)? I mean I know that this would compromise the flow of the coolant but how hot would it run? Has anyone had this happen to them? I'm not an expert in this area but my car runs too hot since my HCI and I have changed everything and even in cooler air the car runs close to 200. I'm pulling my hair out trying to keep this thing cool and am wondering if I installed the gasket wrong. I would hate to go through all the hassle of pulling a head just to see if it's right. Thanks

4Jenna · Nov 13, 2005

Running close to 200 is fine...maybe its just a hot running motor? have you done all the basic stuff..burp the system, what tstat, wp good, etc.. What guage are you using?

The gaskets flipped would make the car run hotter though.

CManT1914 · Nov 13, 2005

More horsepower equal more heat. It's normal for a h/c/i motor to run hotter than a stock one. 200* is NOTHING. I was running at 210 after my heads/cam. Now with the twEECer, I changed the fan temps and it runs at 195 or so. 200* is nothing to worry about.

final5-0 · Nov 13, 2005

I have always heard you will over heat if they get put in backwards.

Like Chris said, more power produces more heat.

When I went from my ported E7 combo to the sig combo I was surprised to see two things ..........

1) How much hotter things got
2) How much louder things got

Fluidyne and stewart wp fixed the heat

A bit more VROOM VROOM didn't matter to me, lol

Grady

HoofnIt · Nov 13, 2005

Last summer, 2004, when I did the HCI I installed new upper and lower radiator hoses, new 180 tstat & new FRPP waterpump. This past summer I had the coolant flushed, I already have a Fluidyne, and I also replaced the electric fan two months ago. Normally 200 wouldn't be so bad but here in Phoenix when the summer temps get above 100 it will creep up to 230. I had an electric autometer temp gauge. I'm thinking with all I've done this thing should run cooler.

Eric94GTvert · Nov 13, 2005

You can check whether or not you installed the head gaskets wrong without removing the head. On the outer corners where the head and block meet, you should be able to see a litle tab or piece of head gasket sticking out. It will be the same on both sides. If you don't see the gasket sticking out on one side, then that side is backwards.

HoofnIt · Nov 13, 2005

Eric94GTvert-are you talking about the front or back of the head? I'm guessing the front...hmmm

95cobradude · Nov 13, 2005

hes talking about the top of the head, by the lower intake.

4Jenna · Nov 14, 2005

I'm a AZ guys also..haha me to

Eric94GTvert · Nov 14, 2005

You should see the HEAD gasket corner sticking out in both FRONT corners of the engine. It's a small piece of head gasket corner which sticks out by the front head bolt.

mo_dingo · Nov 14, 2005

Remember, the thermostat is rated at 195. so obviously it's going to run hotter than that...anywhere from 200 - 220 is 100% fine IMO.
Scott

CManT1914 · Nov 14, 2005

mo_dingo said:
Remember, the thermostat is rated at 195. so obviously it's going to run hotter than that...anywhere from 200 - 220 is 100% fine IMO.
Scott

:Word: It was warm out today. I noticed on the way home the stang was running around 205 or so.

Methodical · Nov 17, 2005

I have the tweecer and when I read the EEC it has the high speed fan setting at 224* , which has been confirmed by the autometer gauge and even the Ford service manual. I did not like that high of a temperature. I have a Fluidyne, 180ts - etc,etc,etc, however, the only thing that got my temperature down was using the TwEECer to change my fan settings. There are other methods out there to change your fan settings other than EEC tuners. Now when I have to go thru emissions, I will set the fans back to stock setting for better emissions. But other than that it's normal per Ford's tuning - for emissions. Peace

db1994 · Nov 17, 2005

Would it really overheat in a noticeable fashion?

Installing the gasket backwards only blocks the water ports off in the back of the head. The coolant in the back of the motor will simply pool up an not flow. The motor will be hotter in the rear of the engine than in the front, but with the thermostat the same, the water in the back of the heads not moving, and the electric fan coming on at the same temp, how would you be able to tell a difference with the temp gauge? When I pulled my heads off, the last person to do them had put one side on backwards, and it wasnt noticeable in temps at all, if anything it ran cooler with the gasket backwards..

I would think it was more a matter of it overheating, but you _wouldnt_ be able to notice on the gauge. Definately do a check and make sure you can see the tabs up front.

-Jason

HoofnIt · Nov 17, 2005

I can't tell if the tabs are on the front because there's too much CRAP in the way! I guess I'll have to take the alternator off to see on the pass. side. I don't know about the driver's side. I am in the process of dropping my tranny to replace the rear main seal so I think I will have a good chance of seeing the tabs on the rear of the heads. Thanks

No.11 · Aug 10, 2011

reviving this thread, I saw the advice about looking at the head gasket tabs. well, my head gaskets (9333) have tabs on all four corners... also, I remember that no matter what way you put them, the water ports on one side were closed off... is that normal?

I ended up just putting them with the "front" facing the correct way despite coolant ports being blocked...

VibrantRedGT · Aug 11, 2011

No.11 said:
reviving this thread, I saw the advice about looking at the head gasket tabs. well, my head gaskets (9333) have tabs on all four corners... also, I remember that no matter what way you put them, the water ports on one side were closed off... is that normal?

I ended up just putting them with the "front" facing the correct way despite coolant ports being blocked...

Just installed 9333's a few weeks back. They say "Front" and have an arrow on them.

BlownFiveLiter · Aug 11, 2011

No.11 said:
reviving this thread, I saw the advice about looking at the head gasket tabs. well, my head gaskets (9333) have tabs on all four corners... also, I remember that no matter what way you put them, the water ports on one side were closed off... is that normal?

I ended up just putting them with the "front" facing the correct way despite coolant ports being blocked...

This is the correct way. You want the front coolant passages to be blocked, so that the coolant will circulate to the rear of the heads. Without it, the coolant takes the path of least resistance and you overheat.

PUNISHER RACING · Aug 11, 2011

the coolant ports should always be blocked in the front no matter what the gasket says or has printed on it. that gets the water to flow through the block and up into the heads.

icemetalstang · Aug 12, 2011

A backwards head gasket will cause car to overheat, the coolant climbs to 280 degees qiuckly. The pressure will build blow out of coolant overflow tube as well as radiator cap.

Head gaskets installed backwards???

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