Currently doing a VVT head swap + reroute. Getting ready to bolt everything back together, I'd really like to get the reroute done correctly the first time, especially since it's so easy now. Soothe my troubled mind:

1) Appears that the thermostat only fits in the Kia water neck one way, correct?
2) The new water hose referenced here fits very loosely on the radiator and Kia water neck. Seems like it'll seal, but i'm still skurred
3) The component order, as installed, should be:
gasket
spacer
gasket
thermostat
kia water neck

correct?

 

there should be a groove on the spacer for the thermostat, so I'd put the thermostat on before the 2nd gasket.

The hose is a little loose, but it seals fine with a snug hose clamp.

 

I'd think you could probably install it backwards if you wanted to.

The correct orientation is with the spring and brass/copper slug facing towards the head.

And as curly said, note the slight recess in the spacer for the thermostat to fit into. Place the thermostat into the spacer, and then the outer gasket over top of both.

 

I just want to check and make sure you are going with the 94-00 head gasket when doing the swap correct?

 

I prefer a welded 1.6 neck to the Kia neck because it uses shorter bolts and it's easier to remove in a pinch.

 

Oh, wow. I missed the part about this being a VVT head.

 

Correct. I have the thermostat oriented as Joe suggests. I had the spacer machined, don't recall if its recessed to accept the thermostat, ill check.

 

Yeah, one of the kia bolt holes is a quarter inch thicker than the other, had to make a home depot run in the middle of bolting it together.