I have Beck Arnely gaskets. They have a bias to them - a raised edge around head/LIM ports.

Which way are they supposed to be installed?

 

I think the bevel is supposed to be UP, facing the LIM.

So that when the LIM is torqued down, the raised edge will be flattened out against the head.

Comment? I want to get this DONE...

 

You'll see it when you actually take the engine apart and get to it. Just orient it the same way

 

No help, I took it apart weeks ago.

If the factory gaskets that came out had a bevel at one time it has been pressed out now.

 

I don't think it matters,just make sure the bolts holes align and the ports!

 

I used the Fel-pro gaskets on mine, so I'm going to guess.

I would see if the raised portion fits nicely over the mating surface of the uim. I suppose that it would match almost exactly. They probably created the raised portion to align the gasket with the uim.

the lim mating surface was dead flat as i recall.
So if you placed the raised portion of the gasket facing down, there would be an air space between the limit and the gasket.

So I would install the raisedan portion of the gasket facing upwards.

 

Big words my man.

EDIT Again - too confusing, starting over.

I quit for the evening after setting the fuel injectors/rail in place on the LIM on the bench. Almost done - once I affirmatively determine which way the motherbleeping gasket is supposed to face.

 

Since this detail doesn't appear to be "common knowledge", I suspect that indeed it does not matter.

HOWEVER that's a somewhat unsatisfying answer, for reasons that I hope are obvious.

Pictures below. Each gasket can only go on one way - but which way ?




peak of the ridge facing away from camera



peak of the ridge facing camera




on the LIM, peak to LIM



on the LIM, peak to head



on the head, peak to LIM



on the head, peak to head




gratuitous pic of LIM with fuel rail

 

Both surfaces it's mating to are flat, why would it matter? Either way it's going to get pressed down against a flat surface. Just make sure the gasket doesn't partially block the ports and matches up well when you go to tighten down

 

If that is in fact the answer then So Be It. I was surprised I could not find any references to this detail on this forum/the interwebs at large.

 

where'd you get such a clean vq? rebuild it? looks like a csar engine

 

The FSM does not clarify the orientation.

What does matter is the torque specs.

 

hey I recognize that book

indeed there is no documentation anywhere re: intake manifold gasket orientation

I'd almost rather eat these B/A units and go get some Fel Pros or something instead (that presumably don't have a bias to them) just to eliminate any potential confusion later.

 

that's a pretty high standard, I am grateful for the comparison.

the engine has not been out, nor previously apart

however in the last month i have spent a _large_ amount of time bent over it with a steel brush and a sh*t-ton of brake cleaner - i'm talking like 15 cans of both that and TB cleaner in the garbage - before it was "clean".

couldn't have done it without a respirator...and it's still a filthy b*tch but you just have to stop somewhere

 

IT doesn't matter...It's there to act as a crush gasket only almost like an oringed combustion chamber

 

I hope you're replacing the knock sensor while you're in there! Much easier with that **** removed!

 

I had already replaced it previously (and without removing the UIM).

 

That being (apparently) the case, I will place "the flat" portion of the gasket against the head, and I will place "the raised" portion against the LIM.

 

I've only used FelPro gaskets. I vaguely remember a bevel. My basic instincts would have set the bevel orientation upward so the most flat area would be against the head.

It's been a few years since I did the last gasket job.

+1 to proper torque specs.

 

This latest still can be reused at least once with no problem....

 

always a no brainer, don't want to flatten them out.