72MachOne99GT

I tell you guys what, trying to lift a head with the manifold attached and the 3 head bolts placed in the head so they don't fall through, onto the block WITHOUT scratching or gauging up the head gasket was impossilbe.. lol

We had to take the head back off at one point cause it was not fitting into the midpipe with the two bolts on the end of the manifold.

There were two gauges on the gasket, and it was slightly crinkled in one spot.

Eventually, I just unbolted the midpipe halfway back under the car and sat the pipe down so it was not in the way trying to line up the head.

I'm curious though.

Should I just go ahead and buy another head gasket since we can get the head back on easily now w/o tearing it up?

Or do I hope it's still alright.

I'm thinking just get a new one. Curious if anyone else has any experience

wolverine8490

I would say if there is any chance it got damaged, replace it. I mean that would suck to do all the work, and then have to tear it all back down again.

BraMas

Are you trying to put the head on with the exhaust manifold already bolted on?

72MachOne99GT

Yea.

We got it eventually after I removed the midpipe. Made a worlds difference.

I think if we just go ahead and get a new gasket, we can set the head right on w/o any issues since the midpipe is out of the way.

paulstang

I would go get a new one. Id hate to have to do all that work all over again.

Machmax777

yea you really should have unbolted the midpipe from the start

72MachOne99GT

lol

yea, we didnt realize at first that our hassle was lining up the manifold with the midpipe instead of the head itself...

now that we're doing it this way..once the head's bolted on, it won't be too hard really to fidget with the midpipe to get it back to where it should be.