Which way do these ring head gaskets go?

[shizznats]

Quick question... when we were doing our top end rebuild on our LTD440, we got a Winderosa gasket set which included replacement ring head gaskets? for the tops of the cylinders. I don't know what the proper term for them is, but they are the metal rings that get sandwiched between the top of the cylinder and the bottom of the head. The old ones were copper and the Winderosa ones are metal. I noticed that these have a "flat" side and a slightly rounded side. Does it matter which way they are put in? I'm assuming flat side down, but want to be sure. Thanks!

[Checkmarks]

They made the originals "fire ring" out of copper so it can be re-used many, many, many times.  On drag racing cars they typically have copper gaskets between the head and the headers and never replace them.

If you are insistent in replacing the copper ones with the steel (?) fire rings I seriously doubt ether way is any more correct.  Be consistent both rounded up or both rounded down.

[gixxer6]

The Winderosa Fire Rings are made from Aluminum.  It shouldn't matter which side is up. 

[shizznats]

Ok thanks guys. I would re-use the copper rings, but the manual for my LTD specifically said to never ever re-use copper head gaskets so we assumed they were garbage and got rid of them. I'm just trying to see if its possible that our compression readings are low because of the aluminum Winderosa rings being put in the wrong way but it seems thats not likely the case. Thanks again.

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 What is the compression?

 It might be just me, but I have always had a hard time getting the aluminum gaskets to seal.

 If you pressure test the cooling system it will tell you if the headgaskets are sealed or not.

Lloyd

[shizznats]

Compression is ~90psi on each cylinder. With a tablespoon of oil in the spark plug hole, it bumps it to 100 in the LH cylinder and 110 in the RH cylinder. This motor has not been started since the top end rebuild (which included new P/U pistons and rings).

I wish we had kept the original copper gaskets but have to work with the aluminum ones now... any suggestions on how to help make them seal? Thx!

[kawhead]

i read a few of these posts,as i understand comp is low but the motor has not run since rebuild.....i've never comp yested a rebuild without running it so i cant help there but if mine i'd  1:  pop apart the weaker side to inspect, if i didnt deglaze cyl i'd acid wash and if ok re assemble,      2:fire up and let it heat cycle  in the shop and recheck.........this assumes no water getting in cyl from head gasket problem.   good luck, tom

[shizznats]

Thanks Tom. We are just going to try firing it up tomorrow to see what happens. Question: can we run the motor without any coolant? We have the radiator off right now.... would we do damage to the water pump if we run it without coolant (assuming of course that we monitor the temps and don't overheat the motor)? Thanks!

[Lloyd (ljm)]

     I would not run it without coolant. Temp gauge will read low because the sender is not touching anything, very hard on waterpump seals, and the engine will get really hot really fast.

 Lloyd