Backwards headgasket

[BigBlueIron]

Discovered a backwards head gasket on drivers side (not done by me!) as indicated buy the missing corner of the gasket on the front.

What actual effects does this have? Its obviously been this way for quite some time. No overheating.

Anybody every find this when dealing with an unknown engine?

[drdano]

Hmm...I think the oil feed to the rockers is offset, so if the gasket was on wrong I think that oil feed would be blocked.  I didn't think you could actually install them backwards due to the dowels in the block/head.

[Heo]

I think it is usualy just one side when they trie to get the same side up
on both gaskets

[machoneman]

Funny, as most Fords run quite hot when one is flipped. Turning on the heater relieved said engine overheating although it is possible that it merely runs hot and not actually overheats enough to where the coolant boils over. 

Alaska residents won't even notice it!!!

[Joe-JDC]

About 2 years ago, I got a pair of Edelbrock heads, RPM manifold shipped to me for porting from a Mustang that was not running right, and was giving the owner lots of  problems, one was overheating.  When I got the heads in my shop, I could still see the Fel Pro head gasket writing on the aluminum firedeck, and something didn't look quite right.  I kept looking, and then it dawned on me that the head gaskets had been installed with the writing up in both heads, meaning one was installed backwards.  So his overheating problem, and radiator issue really was the gaskets, and he wound up with a total rebuild, ported heads, intake, trying to find the problem.  It can make a difference if the cooling is marginal.  Joe-JDC

[machoneman]

About 2 years ago, I got a pair of Edelbrock heads, RPM manifold shipped to me for porting from a Mustang that was not running right, and was giving the owner lots of  problems, one was overheating.  When I got the heads in my shop, I could still see the Fel Pro head gasket writing on the aluminum firedeck, and something didn't look quite right.  I kept looking, and then it dawned on me that the head gaskets had been installed with the writing up in both heads, meaning one was installed backwards.  So his overheating problem, and radiator issue really was the gaskets, and he wound up with a total rebuild, ported heads, intake, trying to find the problem.  It can make a difference if the cooling is marginal.  Joe-JDC

Say Joe, a tad off topic but.....from those pics, the edges of the intake valves look totally chewed up. Unless it's the angle of the pics or the carbon, how the heck did that happpen and were the valves replaced?

[BigBlueIron]

Hmm...I think the oil feed to the rockers is offset, so if the gasket was on wrong I think that oil feed would be blocked.  I didn't think you could actually install them backwards due to the dowels in the block/head. used and broken springs/worn shafts.

Hmm...I think the oil feed to the rockers is offset, so if the gasket was on wrong I think that oil feed would be blocked.  I didn't think you could actually install them backwards due to the dowels in the block/head.

I wondered this but I have verified oil to the rockers awhile ago for other reasons.

Funny, as most Fords run quite hot when one is flipped. Turning on the heater releived said engine overheating although its possible thanm it merely runs hot and not actually overheats to where the coolant boils over. 

Alaska residents won't even notice it!!!

No overheating but seems to run hot, if that makes sense. Even had it in a huge parade last summer on a hot day. Granted I used more radiator and fan  then needed for just such occasions.

About 2 years ago, I got a pair of Edelbrock heads, RPM manifold shipped to me for porting from a Mustang that was not running right, and was giving the owner lots of  problems, one was overheating.  When I got the heads in my shop, I could still see the Fel Pro head gasket writing on the aluminum firedeck, and something didn't look quite right.  I kept looking, and then it dawned on me that the head gaskets had been installed with the writing up in both heads, meaning one was installed backwards.  So his overheating problem, and radiator issue really was the gaskets, and he wound up with a total rebuild, ported heads, intake, trying to find the problem.  It can make a difference if the cooling is marginal.  Joe-JDC

So maybe not a serious as I thought, I was envisioning scored cylinders and warped head from the extra heat. Hopefully I can nurse this engine along for thew summer with some new gaskets. At least until the new engine is done. Damn fel-pro 1020 are $40 a piece at summit though! Why so expensive?

[machoneman]

At least until the new engine is done. Damn fel-pro 1020 are $40 a piece at summit though! Why so expensive?
[/quote]

I'd shop around on the 'Net or maybe one of our engine builders here can help.

[67428GT500]

42.00 at summit is reasonable and about the cheapest I found.  You used to be able to buy two in a package from Ford Motorsports for about 50.00. They finally caught on.  It's a great head gasket choice.

                                                                              -Keith

[Nightmist66]

Hmm...I think the oil feed to the rockers is offset, so if the gasket was on wrong I think that oil feed would be blocked.  I didn't think you could actually install them backwards due to the dowels in the block/head.

They make the gasket with two oil feed holes stamped in. Since the oil feeds are staggered from the cam up to the deck, pass. side feeds from #4 cam bearing and driver feeds from #2 cam bearing, there has to be two holes in the gasket.

[Joe-JDC]

About 2 years ago, I got a pair of Edelbrock heads, RPM manifold shipped to me for porting from a Mustang that was not running right, and was giving the owner lots of  problems, one was overheating.  When I got the heads in my shop, I could still see the Fel Pro head gasket writing on the aluminum firedeck, and something didn't look quite right.  I kept looking, and then it dawned on me that the head gaskets had been installed with the writing up in both heads, meaning one was installed backwards.  So his overheating problem, and radiator issue really was the gaskets, and he wound up with a total rebuild, ported heads, intake, trying to find the problem.  It can make a difference if the cooling is marginal.  Joe-JDC

Say Joe, a tad off topic but.....from those pics, the edges of the intake valves look totally chewed up. Unless it's the angle of the pics or the carbon, how the heck did that happpen and were the valves replaced?

The valves were corroded quite a bit, so the owner agreed to an oversize and 45* seat which helped with flow, and cleaned up the seats quite well.  The springs were actually 140# on the seat at installed height, and were reused.  The manifold cleaned up nicely and I removed all logo/script so that it looked factory stock upon completion.  Just thought it would be interesting for anyone who didn't believe the gaskets were wrong to see the pictures.  If you enlarge the photo, the Fel Pro print is plainly visible, and exactly the same on both heads.  That should not be.  Joe-JDC

[machoneman]

About 2 years ago, I got a pair of Edelbrock heads, RPM manifold shipped to me for porting from a Mustang that was not running right, and was giving the owner lots of  problems, one was overheating.  When I got the heads in my shop, I could still see the Fel Pro head gasket writing on the aluminum firedeck, and something didn't look quite right.  I kept looking, and then it dawned on me that the head gaskets had been installed with the writing up in both heads, meaning one was installed backwards.  So his overheating problem, and radiator issue really was the gaskets, and he wound up with a total rebuild, ported heads, intake, trying to find the problem.  It can make a difference if the cooling is marginal.  Joe-JDC

Say Joe, a tad off topic but.....from those pics, the edges of the intake valves look totally chewed up. Unless it's the angle of the pics or the carbon, how the heck did that happpen and were the valves replaced?

The valves were corroded quite a bit, so the owner agreed to an oversize and 45* seat which helped with flow, and cleaned up the seats quite well.  The springs were actually 140# on the seat at installed height, and were reused.  The manifold cleaned up nicely and I removed all logo/script so that it looked factory stock upon completion.  Just thought it would be interesting for anyone who didn't believe the gaskets were wrong to see the pictures.  If you enlarge the photo, the Fel Pro print is plainly visible, and exactly the same on both heads.  That should not be.  Joe-JDC

Thx Joe!

[BigBlueIron]

Well, engine out top end torn down nothing unexpected on that part. Decided to pull the pan and clean the oil pick up tube just for peace of mind. Discovered two chunks of piston skirt in the pan... So change of plans.

Cylinders looked fine no scoring all be a little glazed so this ends two ways an entire rebuild which I cant do since I'm building a new engine anyway or source a couple pistons and throw it back together. Keep my foot out of it and cross my fingers it makes it the summer. Want add in the classifieds.

Funny thing is I didn't expect it, no abnormal noises at least not what I would expect with two broken skirts. I had also assumed this engine had been rebuilt at some point but it still had standard Ford pistons and 1973 bearings. Also a 3 web main so I guess that's a plus lol.

[chris401]

Several years back I found 67 F-250 with a fairly fresh rebuilt 76 390 in a wrecking yard. One head gasket was backwards and it had a new cooling system. I guessed the new rebuild was getting hot so they abandon the project. Sold the block and am still running the heads.