Head gasket: Which Side is TOP?

bountyhunter · 10-09-2007

The factory manual says to be sure to install the new head gasket with the "TOP" side up..... fine, except the replacement gasket is not marked.

The only difference I see from side to side of the new gasket is that the metal "rim" that circles the cylinder holes has a larger lip on one side and a bit narrower lip on the other side. Everything else looks the same on both sides.

Narrow side down? Up?

I assume it must matter or they wouldn't make the two sides different.

GREENISBEST · 10-09-2007

Headgaskets usually have the word UP actually in the Gasket.

Imagine what a stencil looks like and that is what you will see in the Gasket, If you got the Gasket upside down then the word UP turns into PU with the P facing the wrong way..

bountyhunter · 10-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREENISBEST

Headgaskets usually have the word UP actually in the Gasket.

Imagine what a stencil looks like and that is what you will see in the Gasket, If you got the Gasket upside down then the word UP turns into PU with the P facing the wrong way..

There is no writing at all on this gasket, hence the reason I started the thread.

My theory would be the narrower lip should go down to mate with the edge of the steel cylinder sleeve....?

StarGate · 10-09-2007

Wider edge goes up.

serlant · 10-09-2007

I think he means that if the holes are a little off center say to the left, and you turn it upside down, they'll be offcenter to the right.

bountyhunter · 10-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarGate

Wider edge goes up.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking, wanted to be sure.

10-09-2007	#1 (permalink)
bountyhunter Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Empire of kalifornia Posts: 1,388	Head gasket: Which Side is TOP? The factory manual says to be sure to install the new head gasket with the "TOP" side up..... fine, except the replacement gasket is not marked. The only difference I see from side to side of the new gasket is that the metal "rim" that circles the cylinder holes has a larger lip on one side and a bit narrower lip on the other side. Everything else looks the same on both sides. Narrow side down? Up? I assume it must matter or they wouldn't make the two sides different.

10-09-2007	#2 (permalink)
GREENISBEST Honest it wern't me !! Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,526	Headgaskets usually have the word UP actually in the Gasket. Imagine what a stencil looks like and that is what you will see in the Gasket, If you got the Gasket upside down then the word UP turns into PU with the P facing the wrong way.. __________________ END OF MESSAGE !

10-09-2007	#4 (permalink)
StarGate Navy Vet S.A.R. crew BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NE Arkansas Posts: 4,624	Wider edge goes up. __________________ Mike Original Owner 1981 KZ1000-K1 LTD 2000 Suzuki King Quad Photos

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10-09-2007	#5 (permalink)
serlant Who am i? BTK Intermediate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 241	I think he means that if the holes are a little off center say to the left, and you turn it upside down, they'll be offcenter to the right.

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