Author Topic: Head Gasket help. (Read 4518 times)

Barry W · « **on:** January 25, 2007, 09:49:13 pm »

I need to know which head gasket is the best to buy for a '91 1.6TD. I also need to know which one I need, a 2 hole or 3?

Thanks!

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2007, 10:05:49 pm »

Hi Barry.... the correct gasket to use is determined by measuring the deck height of your actual engine:

http://ep0niks.ctech.ca/vw/eva2/GE01/ch6.2.3.html

Barry W · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:55:44 pm »

So I need a dial gauge..... hmmmm.....

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:03:39 pm »

Princess Auto has very cheap dial gauges...

Or, jig up the one you use to set timing... or get one so that you can set the timing as well.

Or, cheat and use the 3-notch gasket. Lots of "mechanics" take that shortcut... what you lose is the potential for not as much compression than you might have had... but overall it's probably a small thing !!

Vince

burn_your_money · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2007, 04:29:44 am »

or just look at the gasket you have now and get the same one. There are single hole gaskets as well

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2007, 02:46:11 pm »

Yup, assuming the guy who did the engine last took the time to measure... :wink:

Barry W · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2007, 04:15:29 pm »

Sounds good. Thanks.

Barry W · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2007, 08:41:13 pm »

Where am I looking on the gasket to determine if its a 1, 2 or 3 hole gasket?

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2007, 04:58:13 am »

Quote from: "Barry W"

Where am I looking on the gasket to determine if its a 1, 2 or 3 hole gasket?

it will actually have holes on the front of the gasket... easily visible with the gasket installed! iirc it's near the IP on the front.

don't care how you measure it, just make sure you take your time doing it.. and do it right! taking the 3 hole gasket trick is dirty... GIT ER DONE!

burn_your_money · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:08:22 am »

See the 3 notches beside the oil passage?

And here is a complete shot so you know where you are looking

Barry W · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2007, 06:46:36 pm »

Oh great thanks! Do I need to know this even if i'm gonna try the metal gasket from the 1.9?

jimfoo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2007, 07:50:59 am »

Yes, the 1.9 has different thicknesses too. Mine actually had holes that went through rather than notches though.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2007, 10:06:28 am »

that's true, some have holes and some have notches

Barry W · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2007, 10:02:18 pm »

Great info. Thanks guys!