Head gasket holes, block holes and head holes

[PaulB]

I am just about to put the heads back on my Stag engine after a rebuild but the holes in the head versus the holes in the gasket do not seem to correspond nor do the holes in the block versus the holes in the gasket.

If you have a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/36491666@N07/?saved=1there are 2 photos there - one of the block and the gasket and one of the head and the gasket.

So, on the block, should I file out the holes so that the gasket does not restrict the water flow?

On the head, what is the deal there? Should there be kidney shaped holes in the head and are they just full of corrosion and I need to excavate the holes/drill them out? Or are they really blocked off??

HELP PLEASE!

Thanks

Paul

[nib]

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Hi Paul

The Payen head gasket you have is identical to the one I have in front of me,so regards to your first question it looks fine.

On your second question here is picture of a saver shim on my head before installing on my car that is running fine so you will see whats what on here concerning your head and the gasket.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[PaulB]

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Perfect - thanks Mark

I have printed the picture up and will compare it to mine tomorrow as it is still yesterday here for3/4 hour at least!

Regards

Paul

[marshman]

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Paul,

I was told and it seemed reasonable that differentsized holes in the gasket and head are used to balance out the coolant flow through the head. So as long as the holes in each bit - block, head and gasket, are clear and clean you are OK. Don't be tempted to enlarge the holes in the gasket to match the head and the block and don't touch the ones in the head either. At first glance it will look as some are amost clsed up with corrosion - they are not!

As far as I know they are all like it - so don't worry.



Roger

[PaulB]

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Roger

Again excellent information and I will not in any way attempt to modify anything. I can now proceed to fit with confidence.

Paul