An engine serial and arrangement number can only indicate the “original” cylinder head gasket with which the engine was assembled; however, it may not indicate the correct head gasket to use for a repair procedure. When cylinder heads or blocks are exchanged, the design of the replacement castings may require a different head gasket.
There are two types of head gaskets, cylinder blocks, and cylinder heads that must be identified to confirm the correct cylinder head gasket. The two types are commonly referred to as “Scalloped” or “Straight”, which describe the profile on these components along the camshaft-side edge.
The photos below show the deck surface of the two cylinder block designs. The green line shows the edge profiles of the cylinder blocks.
The photos below show an overlay of the two cylinder head gaskets.
You must identify the cylinder block and cylinder head designs to determine the required head gasket. A “Straight” design head gasket should be used if both castings are the “Straight” design. A “Scalloped” design head gasket should be used if either or both of the castings are “Scalloped” (i.e., anytime a “Scalloped” casting is used, a “Scalloped” head gasket is the correct gasket).
The following chart identifies some of the cylinder block and cylinder head numbers.
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