Ok, I changed the HG out on my '90 1.6l a few months ago, and with the rest of the car together, I'm about to start it for the first time since.

I've since learned about the upside-down HG gotcha on these, and while i'm reasonably sure I wouldn't do something like this, I have to make sure before I start it up.

My question is, how can I determine if I put the damn headgasket on upside down like a f'n moron without pulling the head again?

Thanks
bill

 

well when you put it down on the block the back has 2 tabs for water and the front has 1 if you put it on upside down this 1 tab will be in limo sticking out by your TB. Atleast on a 1.6 iono on a 1.8

 

You will know for sure when you turn it over a couple of times and prime the oil system to look for oil flow in the head. I wouldn't try and run it until you make sure you for sure didn't do this.

 

If you remove that allen bolt plug in the oil pump, pointing up at a 45* angle on the intake side, you can fill it slowly with oil to help prime the oil pump.
Seal it up with thread sealant when you put the plug back.

I was able to get oil to flow in the head with the timing belt disconnected by spinning the crank with a 19.2V battery powered drill.