Author Topic: What head gasket do I need for my 82 Rabbit? (Read 2151 times)

D24T · « **on:** September 03, 2007, 10:25:19 am »

I have a Non-Turbo 82 Rabbit with 4spd that I suspect the head gasket blew as it is pumping pressure into the coolant reservoir making the coolant leak out. And now the engine won't fire after I noticed this and turned off the engine and let it cool off. I have not taken off the head yet to see if this is the case but I am quite sure it is.

Now I have heard all this talk about 1 hole, 2 hole and 3 hole gaskets but I have no idea which one I will need. I just want to slap this car back together so I can sell it. I have another project to work on now. A D24T.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2007, 11:17:54 am »

thats easy to find out what gastet you have! with the head on! look on the front of the engine right in the center where the bump is for the oil return.there is a little tab of the gasket sticking out to the left there should be a series of holes or notches cut out in tat tab and you just order that gasket weather it be a 1, 2, 3, 4, notch and state it's for a 1.6 ! wish i can post a pic. to make it easier ! but it should be easy to find! it's pretty visable! mine usually had a 3notch but you need to find out exactly what yours is! the gasket takes up the difference of the piston stickup past the top of the block!
well i hope that helps? can you put your location in your profile? some will not respond to ya if they don't know where your located!
thanks Duane

D24T · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2007, 01:47:46 pm »

Thanks, I will go look. So could I assume the more holes the thicker the gasket? Thanks again.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2007, 04:02:59 pm »

Quote from: "D24T"

Thanks, I will go look. So could I assume the more holes the thicker the gasket? Thanks again.

Yup.

The "kinda" way to replace the gasket is to see what gasket is in there already (1-3 notches) and replace it. This assumes that the person who did the last replacement knew what they were doing.

The "sorta" way is to just buy the thickest (3 notch). This will work but may mean your compression is slightly lower than it can be.

The "official" way is to pull the head and measure the protrusion of each piston at the top of the stroke. Then, using a table from the official service manual, select exactly the correct gasket for your particular block/bearings/crank/pistons.