OEM Replacement Head Gasket Question

[Jagdpanzer]

I was looking over the pair of replacement OEM head gaskets I plan to use on the 402 build and noticed the left gasket PN# 10106177 is different from the the one that came off the engine. Both of the replacement gaskets have a tab for the right side head oil port however, the hole is not punched in the left side gasket. As you can see in the below photo the lower original factory installed gasket did not incuded this tab.

Is this a common feature for all left side OEM replacement head gaskets?
And do you to trim the tab off that extends into the cam chain cavity?
Original gaskets
http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/2011March3Exhaust031.jpg


New gaskets
http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/2011March3Exhaust032.jpg

[Pete]

Yes,you have to trim that portion off.
This was on all OE gaskets.

This is why we can use the right gasket for either side.

Pete

[A26B]

The OEM gaskets I had in stock for awhile, were trimmed already for the LH side. No hole was punched and no trimming required.

This is a serious snafu for an inexperienced engine builder that overlooks the oil passage on the RH side. I know of at least one LT5 meltdown on the RH cylinder head due to just this issue.

LH side. sure....just trim off the excess inside the chain galley.

[bdw18_123]

I didn't realize that the new OEM left head gaskets had the right head oil port tab in it. So if that is the case, shouldn't you be able to also use the left head gasket on the right side as long as you drill the hole in that tab?

Because they are essentially exactly the same gasket, the only difference being that oil hole.

[Jagdpanzer]

This is why we can use the right gasket for either side.

On the left 94 cylinder head I have there is coolant port (see below pic) on the deck surface mighty close to the outer edge of where oil port hole is located on the right side gasket. I'm affraid any leak there would end up draining into the cam chain gallery. On the other hand appears the left side gasket with the tab can be used on the right side cylinder head after being punched with the proper size hole for the oil port.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/LT5LeftHead.jpg