Head-gasket tubes

sdebaker · Post by **sdebaker** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:52 pm

Took the head off my 1977, 1800 Spider.

Through diagonal corners of the head gasket, there are two, brass tubes, about 1/4" long, with a flange to keep them from falling through the head gasket. My new, full-engine gasket set does not have tubes.

What is the purpose of these tubes? Should I install the old ones or leave them out? I am concerned that the flanges may interfere with the proper crush of the head gasket.

Also, One of my shop manuals says to smear grease on the head gasket before installation. I have never seen this in a shop manual for any other car on which I have worked. Is this a necessary step?

Tobi · Post by **Tobi** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:01 pm

I had them on my 2l and they are there to center the head on the block, mine did not have a flange though!?
I reused the old ones.
Don't use grease or anything else on the head gasket.

BEEK · Post by **BEEK** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:19 pm

those things should be steel dowels, anything else is not correct. it is possible to leave them out but you would have to make locating bolts, to keep the head gasket where it belongs when you are installing the head, then you pull the locating bolts out with a magnet thru a head bolt hole.

again, i recommend using the proper locating dowels

RRoller123 · Post by **RRoller123** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:07 am

My stock 81 engine, believed never torn down, appears to have brass too.

BEEK · Post by **BEEK** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:13 pm

they may appear brass, but they are steel... use a magnet

RRoller123 · Post by **RRoller123** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:41 pm

Will do. Maybe they are just grimed up.

RRoller123 · Post by **RRoller123** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:03 pm

Yep they are steel, just gunked up so they look like brass. Why am I not surprised that you are right, Beek?

Head-gasket tubes

Head-gasket tubes

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Re: Head-gasket tubes

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Re: Head-gasket tubes