Quick head gasket question

[ohmygahitsjosh]

Its my first one im doing so im a bit nervous I guess... haha just want to make sure things go back together right..

When I took the head off my motor it seems as tho the previous head gasket is a metal one...

I currently have a brand new OEM one from Parts dinosaur... but its a composite one.

two questions:

1) Should I be replacing the gasket with another metal one?

2) where the previous gasket WAS metal theres obviously no residual gasket stuck to the motor so I gave it a fairly good wipe down and it seems pretty clean for the most part aside from actual different colors on the surface where the gasket layed previously...
How exactly tedious of a clean job needs to be done if I AM indeed replacing with the OEM composite gasket?
I guess I was kind of expecting to be doing a lot more cleaning due to all the "MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE ALLL THE GASKET AND THE SURFACE IS SMOOTH AND CLEAN" warnings from everyone whenever someone talks about doing a HG...
or does the fact that the previous metal gasket was there kinda help take some of the work out of the cleaning part?

Anyways, thanks for any answers to these questions


Oh and also another question, my pistons have a bit of black sooty buildup on the top of them... is that something that needs to be cleaned up before putting the head back on? and if so, what would you recommend for cleaning it? or is it something that can be cleaned by using some sort of additive or running the a/f ratio a bit different one way of the other when the car is back together and running again? and what would cause this in the first place so I can try to avoid doing it or change w.e. the previous owner did to make it happen haha



Thanks again!

 

[topekagsx]

make sure you check both the head and block for warpage and make sure the oem gasket was the same thickness as the metal gasket

 

[ohmygahitsjosh]

will I be able to eyeball the thicknesses? or do I need to like get a micrometer or w.e. its called and get hella precise with it....

 

[BogusSVO]

the stains left befind will be ok.. but if you can feel it with your finger it needs to be removed.

this is what you need to do to check the head/block for warp...
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-engine-fuel/341627-how-check-head-warp.html

if the head is warped and needs to be surfaced, DO NOT let it be BELT SURFACED!!
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cyl...0613-why-not-let-your-head-belt-surfaced.html

the surface finish should look about like this...
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...face-4g63t-cylinder-head-mls-head-gasket.html

the head gaskets , if you are sure both are OE or OE replacement , will be close in compressed thickness.