Andy53 Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 i have just bought a replacement head gasket for a 1200 herald engine and unlike full metal gaskets that i have fitted before this has metal one side and fibre on the other. so my question is which way up does it fit and what sealant would you use if any. on previous occasions i've used grease but i suspect this is not for this type. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Does it say 'top' anywhere? Some do, but not all. I'd be tempted to say metal to top, however it's said that if they don't have the orientation marked on them, then it doesn't matter. On most these days all the holes are symmetrical, so you can't fit them back to front; this also would have meant that if they only fit one way from back to front, they'll only fit one way top to bottom too. I had to run out to the garage to check, but all mine are either copper or full metal - I bought three off eBay a while ago as part of a huge load of gaskets, and they're all unmarked on either side, so no help there. Some will say put the metal to the top because the head is allegedly hotter than the block; not sure if that makes any difference. I don't use any sealer on mine, members recommend a small ring of head gasket around the rear oil channel from head to block but that's really it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 I would look for the hole for the rocker oil feed as this is only at the back, if that hole is at both ends then it's designed to go either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 maybe metal to the head as this pants around a lot , the block is more stable bit like playing pointless.... theres an answer somewhere ??? you could ring rimmers !! or is there any makers reference , lets ask them Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 3 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: maybe metal to the head as this pants around a lot , the block is more stable It's a stable block.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 neigh neigh, keep your pants on . where's me tablets Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Horse tranquilisers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Do you suck em or insert them ? Any preference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy53 Posted April 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Thanks for all your answers i looked at the the gasket and it's completely symmetrical and isn't marked in any way so i think i'll go with metal to the head and prey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 its a classic .........there's always more cursing than preying ........... followed by smiles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 copied from same problem on a mini forum with contact to the manufacturer BEST ANSWE Okay, I rang the manufacturer this morning to get the definitive answer and it is as somebody previously said black composite side up. So I have it the wrong way round - bugger! The reason is that the black side is sticky and the metal side is not. The bores flex due to the compression and heat and the metal side of the gasket against the block allows the bores to move relative to the gasket without damaging it. With it upside down (as I have fitted it) it will fail between the bores where it is weakest. Oh well, you live and learn!! Hopefully this will help somebody else in the future to not make the same mistake. I have also suggested to this particular manufacturer that they include something to tell people which side is up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Put this on a sticky somewhere, it's nice to see the definitive answer; however - why does the head not expand correspondingly with heat, and therefore require some degree of movement too? Perhaps the best option is an all-metal gasket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy53 Posted April 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Thanks Pete i'm sure having put it the "wrong way round" it will last until you need to have the head off to do something else!! thanks for taking the time to ring the manufacturer. i did consider putting the old metal gasket back on as it didn't look at all bad. i'll just keep it for emergencies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 doubt there will be any real problems if is was that important there would be some clues somewhere on or in the package to me the head moves a lot more than the block , due to heat and combustion loads making it jump around( panting) so long as the fire rings are gripped by the torque on the studs , what more can you expect, when it goes bang the ring doesnt know if its on head or horse horseback engine design has a lot to do with all this , our blocks are pretty stable ...back to 'orses again pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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