Reliant 850..Head Gasket which way round?

[ROD]

So Im now back onto my new engine build.You may all know the disasterous eng probs Ive been having.
I need to know which way round the head gasket should fit, as I cant afford to make mistakes.I'll post pics of mine, if there is any doubt.
Basics are there is a hole in surface of block,at front of no 1 bore and a hole at rear of no 4 bore.These holes align with holes in the head.The gasket has corresponding holes and will fit either way up,BUT only one of the gasket holes has a copper sealing ring round it.Once I can determine which block hole (front or rear) should have the copper ring, this will determine which way up the gasket fits.
I believe the front hole is coolant, but havent looked at the rear hole.

[terry t]

I thought they where both coolant holes. 

[ROD]

Just checked..front one definitely coolant,about10mm diam. Rear one,about 5mm diam ,not sure,goes into block about 75mm ,then turns a corner.

[fifer]

Have a look at the top of the cylinder head and think how does oil get up to the rocker shaft feed .
Note that there is a hole in the bottom of one of the rocker shaft support pillars .
Since the rocker assembly can only fit one way onto the cylinder head then you will know which end is the oil supply from the block up through the head and supplying the rocker shaft with oil .
.
.

[ROD]

So which end does the sealant ring fit mate?
 

Manual says gasket is marked "front" but mine isnt.Will have to phone parts world tomorrow.

[merv]

So which end does the sealant ring fit mate?
 

Manual says gasket is marked "front" but mine isnt.Will have to phone parts world tomorrow.

I got two head gasket and neither are marked front so  I'm unsure of which way they supposed to fit 

[ROD]

Got to order( yet another !)water pump tomorrow,so will ask parts world then.

[hunter]

As Fifer said, The copper ring is to seal the oil passage upto the head.

[terry t]

Hi Rod. glad you got back to this. there is a difference between the front and back on the gasket

if you look at the gasket it has 3 holes at one end and 2 the other



now look at the engine it has 3 holes at the back and 2 at the front



so just it can only go one way just line the holes up

[ROD]

Well, I dont believe I missed that other hole! YOURE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Just been out to check.That will of course mean that the ring is on the oil hole.Thanks TT.