[Vwdiesel] 1982 Rabbit with 1.6, which head gasket

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> Well, to try to resolve this a bit more, I have the 11mm head bolts (hex
>  head).  So, I determine which gasket then from the cylinder projection?
>  Do I just measure that with a ruler?
>
  That narrows it down to two possibilities.  A 1.5 engine or an early 1.6.
Still leaves you with options.  You could measure the gasket as mentioned.
It will be a little thinner than specs since it's been compressed.  You could
get the engine code letters off the block and know which as well.  They're
on the flat spot right near where the notched portion of the gasket was.
Also,
the 1.6 has a 1.6 cast into the block on the freeze plug side of the block.
You can't miss it.  The letters are about 2 to 3 inches high.  It seems the
81's use a different set of gaskets than the later engines.  They have the
smaller bolt holes, but 12 mm bolt gaskets will work.
  While using the same gasket as you pulled might seem the logical thing
to do.  I've ended up with 750 lbs of compression by doing just that!  It's
best to actually measure the projection, in 2 to 3 places on each of a
couple of the pistons.  It always seems you're right on the line between
two gaskets!  Use a depth gauge, back end of a caliper, or stack feeler
gauges and add the numbers.
     Loren