[Vwdiesel] Head gaskets

[hwy9fergs at comcast.net]

>Measure the Piston Protrusion and get the proper Head Gasket.
>Rudy 


>I'll second that. To me that is the proper method. That is why there are
three different gaskets to start with, other wise vw would have just make
one, the 3hole gasket. I really don't think there is such a thing as having
too much compression on a diesel is there????
.
>Nick

If the head is stock, I agree you would want to go with the original method and figure it by measuring the piston protrusion. But if your head got "trimmed"  (WHICH THE MANUALS SAY IS A NO NO) wouldn't it make sense to go with the next thicker head gasket?  Especially if enough got trimmed off that they even took some off the precups.  I would say especially then, you want to go with the thicker gasket. Another thing to consider is that there are also the clearance issues in addition to the compression isssue IMHO.  It's mighty tight in there!!

Doug