Hello all! I am new to the site, but love what I've seen so far. I have an '86 Sammy and am in the middle of replacing the head gasket. I was wondering if there are any threads writing up this project? I did a search but wasn't real successful. Thanks for the info!

Byron

The biggest thing is make sure the small hole in the gasket is
in the front, this allows oil to feed to the head and cam bearings

Wild

I was told that the gasket is idiot proof, it can only go one way?

Also, what is a safe tool to use to scrape off the old gasket from the head and block? How clean do they have to be?

Thanks for the help.

Byron

you must get all of the old gasket off   you can put the new gasket on the wrong way  so check and double check   scotch brite works to get old gasket off don't scape with metal things they will damage the mating surface  get the head resurfaced 

you shouldnt have any problems.  its hard to describe the order so look it up online but torque them to 30 then 40, then 47-50. took me 30 minutes

I was told that the gasket is idiot proof, it can only go one way?

Also, what is a safe tool to use to scrape off the old gasket from the head and block? How clean do they have to be?

Thanks for the help.

Byron

there must be alot of idiots out there then. the upside down gasket happens quite often (a fairly easy over sight).
take your time make sure surfaces are extremely clean, dont gouge the block with any tools and have the head surfaced at the very least (should be fully rebuilt IMO). it would be a shame too see you go through all that work only to have the gasket blow in a few miles of having it back on the road.

Well the worst did happen. I must have put the head gasket on wrong. I got it all back together, started her up and she ran like a champ! I drove about 75 miles and then the cam siezed. Hard lesson learned I'm afraid.

Well the worst did happen. I must have put the head gasket on wrong. I got it all back together, started her up and she ran like a champ! I drove about 75 miles and then the cam siezed. Hard lesson learned I'm afraid.

That's too bad.  Some headgaskets have a "TOP" stamped on them that goes to the front of engine.
If you look, it is kinda obvious if the headgasket is put on wrong, but a lot of people don't seem to notice it, unfortunately.