Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

[KCLOST]

Well, I pulled the heads off of my Merc. 175hp (SN. 0B176278) and have purchased the new gaskets from my local Merc. Dealer.<br /><br />The part# for the gaskets I purchased is 27-41246 1. After looking at the gaskets (Victor Reinz Brand) I noticed that they are slightly different than the old ones. Particularly the hole size that allows water to travel from the block (area around the cylinders) into the head. The holes on the old gasket are 3/8" in diameter, while the holes in the new ones are only 3/16". I'm not talking about the bolt holes just the holes for water travel...<br />I have included links for you to view the gaskets. Can you tell me if I have the right ones? Was this an improvement in design? The salesman said that he "thinks" the smaller holes were put in place to keep water in the head to keep it cooler (whatever). I don't want to find out the hard way that these are wrong.<br />Thanks<br /><br /> http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WAAAAOQaU6WSm7hzGndeizn8yeuH2cWnE5dtZj98kQ!M9vEofAk4p1o7AaiD6FnXbtr!N*v2gnczaWlYUv2wvgpFhWAjPy05Yas*VAUU3OG*j9uGH30nrhGelmw*dtv6AAAAAAAAAAA/DSC00254. JPG?dc=4675462839450896329<br /><br /> http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WADhAuUaoqWSm7hzGndei2ORrS8k7Exh!8A*!YXedPfdv6JcnS7WVP*Zc2kI335etINC87DiItCoYJ1RZjRbG0BhZuAFhc5d3Er12tW2H0rhW3pgDeE3BJGgmOEvTdGkMgAAAP****8/DSC00255. JPG?dc=4675462839491534674

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

KCLOST.I looked in the book and the part # seems right.Are the new gaskets genuine Mercury or Victor generics?I didn't see any # changes from Merc,so I would expect the part to look the same.<br />27-41246 did change do 27-41246-1,but the catolog shows the -1 for your engine.<br />DHP

 

[Mettaree]

Re: Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

KCLOST: Just checked Parts Express and P/N 27-41246-1 is the right one for your motor.<br /><br />

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

I'm almost sure the old gaskets are the originals from Mercury, as they had black paint on the outer edges probably from when the block was painted.<br /><br />Anyone know why they would have changed the hole sizes? My buddy has a 1985 V6 150 XR2 or 4 and his gaskets that he put in last year have the larger holes like my old ones... Kind of makes me wonder???????

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

 

[dilligafda]

Re: Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

KC, I recently replaced head gaskets in a 150 of roughly the same vintage as your 175 and they looked the same. I was assured by Mercury that they were the right ones and would work fine. I didn't ask why they changed, just if they were right. I have heard back from the customer about other issues, but none that he has any trouble with the engine, so I will assume that it is running well. I can call him later today to confirm that if you would like. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Experts!! Need Gasket Info....

Thanks dilligaf,<br /><br />But No you don't have to do that. I called Mercury and sent them the link to the pics. They just called me back and assured me that they are the correct gaskets and the holes were changed back in 1986 the same year as my motor was manufactured. They said it was a design change to modify the water cooling pattern.