Jeep F Head Gasket Question

So I replaced the Head gasket on my 1952 M38A1 today. I put the new gasket in exactly the way the old one came out, with the metal side up. I did spray the gasket with the copper sealant . Started the motor and everything looks fine. Did I screw this up?

 

am I safe to leave it alone or do I need to change it asap.

 

I was chasing down the source of an oil leak. For some reason the motor was burning oil. I changed the fuel pump and it did not stop smoking. I removed the head to check the valve seals and guides. While I had it out I went ahead and had a local machine shop check the head for cracks, true the head and do a valve job, check the valve guides and replace the valve seals. I bought a new Fel Pro gasket from a local auto parts store. The gasket appeared to match either way so I put it in like the old one came out.

The valve seals were in bad shape, and was most likely the source of the oil.

 

Yes the gasket had the metal that wrapped around the fiber around the coolant passages and cylinders

 

Why do you assume you screwed this up, or need to change it?

 

I have seen the copper spray used on subaru head gasket jobs quite frequently, I'm sure you're fine and just suffering from over analysis paralysis which is very common in the auto repair world

 

It went together too easy, and that was bothering me. Most of the time everything I work on is a fight.

 

^^^
Was thinking the other day... did i wire the nuts in the transmission shift tower?

 

I know the feeling, I'm the same way. I think the copper spray is optional but it certainly doesn't hurt, it just makes it more difficult to change in the future. You will need to re-torque the head bolts after a few hundred miles.

Did you use sealant on the head bolts? Most of them enter the water jacket and require sealant or they may leak.

 

Just curious.......were the valve seals the problem? Thinking about doing the same on mine. I have good compression 132-125 (140'ish wet tested) and it smokes all the time.

 

Welcome from Michigan, CJason-5, and Samned. I do the same thing, I go over and over everything I do in my head after I "FIX" something, it is normal, Samned. CJason, if you have good oil pressure, and good compression and are still smoking a little, it is a good chance that your intake valve guide seals are bad. That is an easy fix. You can pressurize the cylinder with air to hold the valve in place, and remove the springs and replace the seals, without a lot of trouble. Good luck.