Need help asap head gasket

[Hennysemitara]

So im changing my gasket ready to go, i open the gasket and it says top facing to exhaust cover. but im working on the port not starboard. so can i flip the gasket over?

 

[Hennysemitara]

No Title

its hard to tell from the pic but when you flip it over, the center ring is smaller then the other.

 

[racerone]

The arrow must point to the exhaust cover in between the heads.------Both gaskets are the same.-----Do not worry about diameters here.------Note the holes in the gasket for proper waterflow.

 

[Hennysemitara]

I hope your right. i looked up the part online and its the same part number as both port and starboard side.

 

[interalian]

Yes, same part for both sides. The reason the arrow is there is so the water hole comes out the right spot for cooling. If you put it the other way, the water would short circuit the cylinders and to mostly through the head. Bad things would happen...

Port side (viewed from back):


Starboard side (viewed from back):

 

[racerone]

Read post # 3 .---Read and heed.

 

[interalian]

This is why your gasket orientation is critical. Starboard cylinders 1 and 3 shown, flip for port. Sorry for the crude arrows and text.



Now, imagine if the head gasket were flipped so the large holes were close to where the water enters under the lower cylinder.

 

[Hennysemitara]

thanks interalien i got my head on today. torqued to spec 20 lbs hope it works!