Headgasket questions

[john]

It's a 1.9 Nissan primastar


My new headgasket appears to be 3 pieces of metal, I would have thought they would all be sealed together but they are clear gaps in most areas, is this normal? Obviously when it's all tightened up they won't be there but I don't want to fit it if it's defective.

Also does it matter what side goes on the block/head?

It has what I can only call press marks (meant to be there) where the metal has been pressed, but again no indication as to which side goes to what!

[Sloppysod]

From past experience, headgaskets are not always completely closed, and yes it will all become right when compressed.
To make things easier I would say place on block, using the bolts/studs to align.
Probably don't have to say this but I will anyway, pay particular attention to the tightening sequence and torques.

[Peter.N.]

Laminated steel head gaskets seem to be a lot more durable than the old copper ones.

Peter