I want to order a full gasket kit for my slant 6 as shown in the picture. I was told by the guy I bought it from that it is from a 1986 van. I have tried to verify this by the numbers on the motor without success. It is a newer style motor without the spark plug tubes like the 1970 one. The gasket kits are for 1980 and older and 1980 and newer. Am I safe to go with the 1980 and newer kit?

Attached are some pictures of the motor. Thanks for your help.
[/img]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag205/scraigallen/NewerMotor2_zps2412cece.jpg

[img]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag205/scraigallen/NewerMotor2_zps2412cece.jpg

Here's the other picture. Still learning how to attach pictures.

Thanks, Craig

If that early valve cover fits perfectly on the head, then it's a 1975-1980 BL head and you need the kit for 1960-1980... if the cover fails to work on one corner of the head because it has a detour in one corner of the gasket mating surface, then you need the 1981-1987 kit...

The valve cover is the one that came on it and it seems to fit just fine. So based on the pictures, you think it is a 1975-1980?

Where would that detour be in the valve cover gasket relative to the driver and passenger side, and front and back?

Thanks for your help.

Craig

Lower front corner... (front, passenger side)
DD

Thanks for the input. I looked at my old 1970 motor and it is similar to the newer one. So I am 99% sure it is a 1975 to 1980 as discussed. I will pull the valve cover and head this weekend and check the casting number before I order the gaskets to make 100% sure.