I dont know what head gasket

[dankcorey22]

I read the FAQ on head gasket and still dont know what the difference is between the 1,2,3 notches.

I need one for my 1983 jetta 1.6 TD but i dont know what one to get. I dont know what kind of valve train it has either it looks like hydraulic lifters but who knows, can someone help me out thanks 

[Rabbit on Roids]

the different gaskets are different thicknesses. you need to measure your piston protrusion to know what gasket to buy.

[dankcorey22]

Im doing a engine rebuild so i have to measure it after i do put the new pinstons in or right when i take the head off?

[Rabbit on Roids]

measure it after you get the WHOLE BOTTOM END built up the way its going to be running. with all the new parts in it.

[dankcorey22]

Thanks guys really helpful i cant wait to get it runnning again!

[81 vw pu]

I would wait until i had the short block assembled to do the piston protrusion measurements. Reason being the new rod bearings will be a little thicker than the old worn out one's. Most engines I tear down have wear on the upper rod bearing out in the middle that might affect piston protrusion by a few 1000ths when new rod bearings are installed. Same reason with main bearings, new main bearings can move the crank up or down depending on where the old main bearings are worn. The new rod and main bearings puts the rods and crank back where their suppose to be, so measuring before rebuild might be different than measuring after new bearings.Also if you install new rod bolts and have rods re-sized the center to center might be different which will affect piston protrusion. A 1000ths here and there can add up to when several parts are involved. It's nice to know the piston protrusion measurement in advance so you can have the head gasket when your ready for it, but I would wait until the short block is assembled.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

From the factory, an 83 TD would be mechanical lifters - through some point in 1986 (concerning TD engines). But sometimes engines can get swapped.

The easy way to tell is by the number of oil drainback ports on the front side of head. Mech has 1 - Hydra has 2. There is a pic showing this real clearly on the vwdieselparts.com website. I used to have the link, but its on a crashed computer.

Your old headgasket will have notches or punch holes on a protruded tab that normally is visible even with engine in car.
Just listing that for reference purpose, what was on there previously is not a guarantee of what the next gasket needs to be.

And also, I need an air intake snorkel tube that goes to the airbox for an 83-84 Jetta TD - you got an extra one ?

[81 vw pu]

First off libbybapa, I was replying to dankcorey22's question about when to measure piston protrusion, after head removal or upon reassembly. As I stated this is the way I would do it and the reason why. I too have have torn down a lot of these vw diesels and many other diesel and gas engines. The next time you get a chance, mic the big end of a vw rod and bearing with 200,000 miles and then install your new bearings torque to spec and mic again, let me know what the difference is. And in a perfect world we would never let our engines run low on oil, or exceed our oil change intervals would we?

[dankcorey22]

so i got mechanical lifters then. Im just going to put the bottom end in first then measure the hights of the pistons