406 1.9td head gasket selection

[pjb0150]

head has been skimmed 18 thou roughly
haynes manuel says depending on how much the pistons stick out of bores === determines the gasket selection
notches on gasket are at the corner
mine sticks out about 0.57 mm approx
and was currently fittee d with a 3 notch gasket which appears to be wrong
what do i need
tia

[madmadmax]

you will have to measure the piston protrusion with a dial gauge it's the only way rely, why do you think the old one was wrong?

[pjb0150]

used a vernier book says 3 notch =0.77- 0.82 protusion
mine is protuding about 0.5
phil

[pjb0150]

other thing how deep should the valves be sunk after skimming
tia

[jasper5]

head has been skimmed 18 thou roughly
haynes manuel says depending on how much the pistons stick out of bores === determines the gasket selection
notches on gasket are at the corner
mine sticks out about 0.57 mm approx
and was currently fittee d with a 3 notch gasket which appears to be wrong
what do i need
tia

You need the thickest gasket possible after head skim on these engines.