If the head gasket is installed wrong on a y-block (tabs to the rear of the head instead of the front) will that prevent oil from getting to the rockers?

Thanks

YES ,they must face the front one will look upside down but correct

Most, if not all head gaskets are symmetrical in that respect so it should not matter.

However, if they are installed backwards, it must be corrected since the head gasket helps to direct coolant flow.  Your engine will probably overheat if they are installed incorrectly.


Lawrenceville, GA

That's the funny part, the motor does not overheat. I have seen conflicting opinions on this issue and wanted to get it cleared up before I pull the head off to replace the gasket. I have done many checks to make sure the rockers were not plugged up. I have lots of oil to them on the drivers side and none on the passengers. A couple of years ago I installed a top oilier kit on the bad side. I have not pulled the head off to check if oil is getting up through the block yet but I suspect someone before me installed a cam bearing wrong. I was just wondering if the head gasket oil passage hole could be misaligned as it looks like the gasket is on wrong. Again, the motor has never overheated on me. It looks like it has a 160 degree or so thermostat and that is where the temp runs most of the time.

Why not pull off the rocker shaft and insert a small rod down through the hole where the oil comes up from the cam and see how far down you can go. You will know if the head gasket is on wrong if you can not get past the head . You might want to use a long drill bit and if you have to cut through the gasket . It's just a thought

The hole in the head and the hole in the block are not directly inline so that method will not work


Lawrenceville, GA

OH well I guess the people who designed the engine were not aware the shortest route between two points is a straight line.

The short answer is “No”.  The head gaskets being installed with the blocked water passage in the gasket being at the rear instead of at the front will not prevent the oil from reaching the rockers.  As Charlie mentions, the head gaskets have two symmetrical oil holes in them so that the head gaskets can be used on either side or in this case, installed backwards and still provide oil to the rockers on either bank.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks everyone! I am going to leave well enough alone for now. The 312 was supposedly rebuilt sometime around 2011 by previous owners unknown to me. I will probably wait until the engine needs another rebuild sometime in the future. It does not over heat and the top oilier is getting adequate oil to the passenger side rockers. No sense right now worrying about it. Guessing it is the cam bearing misalignment causing the problem.
Thanks again to all for your replies.

Are both gaskets installed incorrectly or only the passenger side?


Lawrenceville, GA