# Oem head gasket

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/oem-head-gasket/19891>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** gaskets\
**Created:** [September 22, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oem-head-gasket/19891 "2008-09-22T17:42:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chlyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@chlyde](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chlyde)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oem-head-gasket/19891/1 "2008-09-22T17:42:10Z")

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im putting a new oem head gasket on an astro van. one side of the gasket has a maze of metal stripping and the other side is plain. which side goes on facing up? thanks

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oem-head-gasket/19891/2 "2008-09-22T19:35:32Z")

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Who made the gasket?  
This is a part you want to get right.  
Ask the gasket manufacture.  
Ask where you bought it.

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**Author:** ![MrPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MrPhil](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MrPhil)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oem-head-gasket/19891/3 "2008-09-23T01:41:50Z")

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Most head gaskets will fit only one way. Look it over very carefully to make sure all the holes and such (including small oil passages) line up. I’d be surprised if it was perfectly symmetrical.