I am replacing the head gasket on my 88 xj. When I lined it up I noticed the coolant holes line up with each other in the head and the lower engine, yet the gasket does not have the majority of the holes in it. Is this normal or should there be holes in it? I looked up other gaskets online and they didn't have holes either. I didn't know if anyone has cut the holes into the gasket or if the gasket is supposed to prevent the coolant from going through those areas? Thanks for any help.

 

Thats normal . Id suggest getting the head checked out and cleaned off a little better b4 bolting back up . JMHO...

 

If you didnt take the head to a machine shop to get checked out, I highly suggest you do it b-4 putting head back on.. You could be doing alot of work for nothing..

Just my opinion..

Ant...