Head gasket installation

[iggyw1]

I have a question about installing my new head gaskets on my motor. It is a 1965 Evinrude, 75 horse power Speedi Four. I just boughr the new gaskets and they have a metal ring on them that is the size of the pistons (more or less). The ring on one side of the gasket is flush with the gasket material, and on the reverse side, the ring actually sticks up a bit, just enough where I can feel the edge of the ring with my thumb nail. My question is which way does it go onto the motor? I've read before that the gasket is labeled for this purpose, but these gaskets are definitely not labeled other then to say on them "Do not use sealer". Which way do they go on??
Thanks!

 

[F_R]

I'm reasonably certain that it does not make any difference as long as they are symmetrical (fit both ways)

 

[iggyw1]

I'm reasonably certain that it does not make any difference as long as they are symmetrical (fit both ways)

They are the same as far as that goes, however, I went on line and watched some videos on how to do the work and all of the videos say to make sure it goes on the correct direction to avoid problems, but none of them tell you what the correct direction might be! They just say that the gaskets are marked as to which side goes to the head and which side goes to the block (mine are not labeled) and they also say, if they are not labeled, one side has the rings touching with no space between them and the outer side has a space between them. Mine have a space between them on both sides!

The only difference on my new ones is that the ring is flush on one side and sticks up higher than the gasket material on the other side. I hope the old ones are the same and they tell me something when I take them off, or there may be a slight groove for the ring to fit into on the head or block. Or like you said, maybe it will make no difference at all, but then I ask myself why are the two sides different then??

 

[F_R]

Unfortunately, or fortunately, I can't turn the clock back to when I was doing that every day. But I still say I don't think it makes any difference on that motor. Your mileage may differ.

 

[F_R]

OK, you got me doubting myself, so to be sure I'm not wackey, I got out the factory service manual. It says:

c. Resurface and install cylinder heads, using new gaskets. Tighten cylinder head bolts to specified torque, following the sequence shown.

That's it, period. End of story.

I think what you are looking at is due to manufacturing process. That ring had to be inserted and rolled over somehow. I wasn't there when they did it

 

[F_R]

I just went out and opened up the shop and looked at a gasket. Not the exact one you have, but close enough. Like I speculated, part of the manufacturing process. The fire rings were inserted from one side and rolled over on the other side.

Now I can sleep tonight.

 

[iggyw1]

I just went out and opened up the shop and looked at a gasket. Not the exact one you have, but close enough. Like I speculated, part of the manufacturing process. The fire rings were inserted from one side and rolled over on the other side.

Now I can sleep tonight.

for going thru all that trouble for me! I really appreciate the help you gave me. I will put the head gaskets on and not worry about which way they go on, but I will do both sides alike. Thanks again!