Cyl. Head Gasket

S

Sailor

Well-known member
I was about to install the head when I noticed that the gasket has "this side OUT" inked on the side of the gasket that has ridges on it.

1. What does "out" refer to?
2. Which side of the gasket goes toward the block, the smooth side or the side with ridges?

Awaiting answers with torque wrench in hand! :thanx:

Larry
 
Copper Coat, spray on type. That's what I use on both sides of the head gasket before installation.

I'm sure there are other quality gasket sealants.
 
100_0776.JPG100_0777.JPG
Eugene":1p28h6zw said:
Copper Coat, spray on type. That's what I use on both sides of the head gasket before installation.

I'm sure there are other quality gasket sealants.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Eugene.

Have you ever seen a Mahle gasket marked like I described above? The ridges I referred to is where they rolled the outer material, from one side, through the openings and pressed that material onto the other side. It looks like they used this method to seal the inner core from the outer cores.
 
I suggest you re-torque the gasket. Let the tractor get completely warmed up, shut it down and let it cool completely and torque it again the next day. A pony tank is handy for this. Don't forget to service all the lube points under the hood while you have it off. fan hub, distributor/mag, genny, governor linkage, etc.
 
Those ridges are designed to crush to make your seals. A lot of people will tell you that copper kote is not required, but I bought a tractor that had a fresh rebuild and there was coolant weeping on to the top of the block. Mine never leaked. Use a non-hardening sealer (I use teflon paste) on the head bolts too. Those holes go right into the block and coolant can weep up the threads without sealer.
 
John *.?-!.* cub owner":3jwwk81z said:
Don't forget to use thread sealant on the head bolts, as some of them go into the water jacket and WILL leak if you do not.
Click to expand...
I was pleasantly surprised that my bolts hadn't accumulated a lot of crud from being exposed to the coolant.

All good information, but I really need to know which side of the gasket goes toward the head....the side with the ridges or the smooth side. :lost:

Larry
 
Sailor":zt9fiuda said:
John *.?-!.* cub owner":zt9fiuda said:
Don't forget to use thread sealant on the head bolts, as some of them go into the water jacket and WILL leak if you do not.
Click to expand...
I was pleasantly surprised that my bolts hadn't accumulated a lot of crud from being exposed to the coolant.

All good information, but I really need to know which side of the gasket goes toward the head....the side with the ridges or the smooth side. :lost:

Larry
Click to expand...
If the bolts are the right length they do not extend through into the coolant, but the hole does. It is a good idea to run a tap through the holes and clean them.

The crimped side, which is normally the one marked "THIS SIDE OUT" goes on top, next to the head.
 
Just to clarify for me (& him!), everyone is saying "writing on top" or "this side facing up/out", but you need to specify when it is sitting on which part...the block or the head? I believe you mean when on the block, which would place the writing against the bottom of the head...right?
 
Dale Finch":2lkapk4h said:
I believe you mean when on the block, which would place the writing against the bottom of the head...right?
Click to expand...
Yes. Out or up means skyward side of the gasket.
 
Head Gasket 001.JPG
A picture is worth......

If I were in charge, I would label the gasket to read "This side facing head". :D
 
also, do not install the upper water neck before the engine is in the tractor and the radiator is in place. you have to install the hose on the water neck, connect it to the radiator, and then attach it to the head.

a little grease on the inside of the hose will make it slide around much easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top