Two headgaskets on one head?

[Lord Warlock]

Was taking the top of the motor down for a repaint of intake, valve covers, and accessories, took the valley pan off to clean out the channels in the center of the head which somehow got a bunch of crap buildup in each, and to get it all out had to take the valley pan off.  Got it off and realized some water had gotten in from a loose valve cover when i rinsed it off, so while cleaning out the area under the valley pan, i noticed that on the passenger side of the motor, there are two metal tabs in the center under the head, which looks to me like there are two headgaskets installed on one side, and one on the other. 

I put the heads on in the 80s when i dropped the replacement motor in, I could have been a moron and installed one side with two gaskets, not really sure, was kind of in a rush to get it together back then as I needed the transportation.  Engine ran fine with it there, has been starting fine for over 20 years since, but it hasn't been driven just stored and started occasionally.  I need to decide if i should remove the head or not, the exhaust manifolds are a pain to take off.  but there is another reason to take the head off, have a broken off bolt on the valve cover and if the heads off can have it drilled out. 

Would you, or should I take the head off and find out just to correct the possible extra head gasket? 

[cudaken]

My guess it was the way they where packaged if they are the steel shim type. They like to stick together and can be a pain to pry apart. If there where 3 in the box and 2 where stuck together I could see it happening. If they are not steel shim type, where you smoking something funny?  It was the 80's and all. 

My motto if it is not broken, don't fix it. Wait till it is a problem if ever.

Cuda Ken

[Baldwinvette77]

  compensating for a machine job on one head?

[1974dodgecharger]

Lowering compression ratio?

[Lord Warlock]

Thats kind of what i thought may have happened, I possibly used one of the old head gaskets from the original motor or the 440 i took out of the other charger. steel shim (its either steel or aluminum, it doesn't rust much but does appear to rust some so i don't think its aluminum).  I would have thought i would buy new ones as they weren't that expensive back then, and i've always thought that its best to replace old parts that are hard to get to later on.  

Wasn't sure i'd get a response today or not, so ended up unbolting as much as i could, have all the bolts for the head off, valve tappets, lifter rods are out most of the exhaust manifold bolts came off easy enough, the nut on each end, and the back two bolts that go thru the manifold, one is out of the threads but i can't get it out of the manifold until i can move it some.  The last two bolts or nuts are close to the shock tower and I couldn't reach them from the top of the motor.  So i'll look at them from under the car tomorrow if the weather cooperates.  I hope i can crack loose the head and shift it enough to get the manifold off the two studs on the ends, then lift the head off without dropping it on anything important.  Definitely hadn't planned on going this deep  into the motor.  I could probably seperate the extra gasket when i get the head loose and pull it out without removing the manifold, but at this stage it makes more sense to try to take it out the rest of the way, and take it to a machine shop to get the broken bolt out. I do have easy outs and can rethread it if necessary, The oil leakage onto the manifold on that side is one reason the car isn't run that long when i do start it up, it smokes heavy when oil drips on the exhaust.

Going to find a picture of the manifolds so i can know what to look at tomorrow.  Would like to get it off if possible, not sure i have the arm strength to lift it clear though, these heads are heavy and my back ain't what it used to be.  May have to rig a hoist of sorts.  I am really hoping there is enough room to get the head and manifold up a couple inches without undoing the motor mounts.  Not sure how much clearance the pipes have to the firewall or chassis below,

I appear to have one of the extra heads from the replacement motor sitting in the front of the garage, but it would need a full clean/dip.  I do wonder where the 2nd head is, I should have both somewhere.  

[Lord Warlock]

Forgot about the lower head bolts, those won't come out unless i could get the exhaust manifold off and out of the way, while i think i could get it loose, I doubt i could move it out of the way unless i could lift the motor up so looks like this isn't going to happen after all.  Gonna try to drill out the old bolt instead, and then put it back together, have no intention of lifting the block, thats too much trouble.