# Head gasket TOP-label puzzler

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635>\
**Category:** The Show\
**Created:** [June 13, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635 "2022-06-13T22:43:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635/1 "2022-06-13T22:43:35Z")

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Ray suggests instead of _TOP_ stamped on the head gasket’s upper surface, _BOTTOM_ should be stamped on the lower surface. His idea, if the gasket is accidentally installed upside down, the _TOP_ wouldn’t be noticed. But the _BOTTOM_ stamp would.

Me, I’m thinking if there’s only one stamp, _TOP_ is the more useful. B/c before I install the head I’ll double check the _TOP_ stamp is visible. If no stamp is visible I’ll be thinking this particular gasket didn’t come w/a stamp, and install the head anyway.

If there’s only one stamp on a head gasket, which do you think is the more useful? _TOP_ or _BOTTOM_?

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635/2 "2022-06-13T22:46:55Z")

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Bottom… for the reasons Ray stated.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635/3 "2022-06-13T22:55:16Z")

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I’ve never replaced one myself, but guess there’s a _front_ and _rear_ orientation issue too, but presumably that one is easily decided by the corresponding holes. The head gaskets I’m seeing by Googling Camry head gasket don’t seem to have any obvious label on them. No label? Not visible on the photo? Label on the other side?

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635/4 "2022-06-13T23:30:43Z")

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> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#):
>
> If no stamp is visible I’ll be thinking this particular gasket didn’t come w/a stamp, and install the head anyway.

That’s exactly the point. Using the “Top” convention could result in the problem you describe.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/head-gasket-top-label-puzzler/184635/5 "2022-06-13T23:45:33Z")

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I guess I would tend to agree if there is room to stamp the longer word on the gasket. But then what mechanic that has done the work before would not know?