Head gasket Question

First off, great site, I really hate this to be my first post but.....is it possible to bolt down a L head gasket on an F headed block? I have a problem with a new ring job thats got me pulling my hair out, possible incorrect gasket would be good news........thanks

 

It will not fire, I did get one "pop" and thought I saw smoke puff from the thermostat housing but was not sure, almost zero compression, added a little oil to cylinders but it did not help, I have good cranking pressure on the guage, the thought of a puff of smoke got me to thinking so with no water in it I placed a shop vac into the thermo housing and have suction at the oil fill in the valve cover, when I put the head on I just casually lined the gasket on the head but I did not look very close, what do ya think? I just shut the hood and walked away, I have calmed down now....Vic

 

would check the timing.

 

Did, a couple times, and valves, spent a few hours trying to fire it,checked everything I wished I would have pulled the head right then but after the shop vac incident I called O'Rileys and ordered a F head gasket and cracked the Captain Morgan hoping it was just the wrong gasket in the set....Vic

 

Thanks Steve, I will let you know, I would think I would have seen a mismatch, but Im learning as I go on this little 4 cylinder........Vic

 

Yup, it's possible. Had it happen to me back in 19.... well, back when I was 17 and still had the F-head in my '59-5. Mine would start, but it smoked like crazy and ran like crud! Swapped it to the correct gasket and all was good. If you had the head off then that's where I would start. It's very easy to mix up the F-head and L-head gaskets. Nickmil.

 

With a head gasket costing under $20, I think that's the logical place to start. Anything that's going to cost you most of your compression is going to require you to pull the head to fix. Didn't line up all the gaps in the rings, did you?

 

Thanks, after your responses Im sure its gotta be the wrong gasket, I'll know wed when my "F" gasket gets in, Vic

 

amazing how well it runs with the "right" gasket, the F gasket kit had an L head gasket in it........thanks......Vic

 

The very first f head I rebuilt I mistakenly put an L head gasket.

No compression and some odd popping when rotating the engine. didn't try to start it though.

When I took the head off the gasket came off with the head; well I set the head (and gasket) aside and concentrated on what I could have done wrong on the engine.

Well, it was a good half hour of frustration before I glanced at the head and associated gasket......

Y'know, I had a box of head gaskets -- about 6 -7 in all. All except one were for the F head. So I had grabbed the only wrong head gasket that I could have in the initial assembly.