Thread: New Head

Hi, just bought a new head for my D1 300tdi 1998, and noticed it came with a one hole gasket, on taking my old head off the gasket was a three hole , do I use the one supplied from Turner eng or do I get a three hole gasket to match the one that came off ?

Assuming the old gasket was original you can assume the thickness is correct and replace with the same thickness gasket.

If there is some doubt it is quite easy to determine the correct thickness, indicated by holes on the gasket, for your engine.

As the head is flat and there are manufacturing differences in the engine it is necessary to ensure that the pistons don't hit the valves, this is done by varying the thickness of the head gasket.

To determine the correct thickness of head gasket, using a straight edge and feeler gauges, measure the difference in height between the top of the piston(s) at TDC and the top of the block. The biggest gap determines the choice of gasket.

ie.

0.50-0.60mm 1 hole
0.61-0.70mm 2 holes
0.71-0.80mm 3 holes
0.81-0.90mm 0 holes

It seems pretty common for suppliers to provide either 3 or 4 hole gaskets, ie worst case, but I am unsure how this effects the compression and efficient operation of the engine. It is pretty easy though to determine the correct value.


Deano