Today I started rebuilding my 81 22R motor, I started with the head. well I put the new gasket, head and valve train on, then torqued it down. Second I went to the timing cover, and low and behold it would not fit onto the guides what I discovered was that i could not get it into the guides without fear of damage. So I had to un-tighten the head. have i destroyed the head gasket and or bolts. From what I understand it is a one time deal.

 

from my understand you can only use the head gasket once after its been torqued down. my question is im confused by what you mean bout the valve cover and the guilds not fitting, could you give some more detail and or some pics.

 

not the valve cove, but the timing cover. There are hollow pressed seat guides on the front of the block that allow for perfect contact to the head, and the oil pump with respect to the front main seal.

 

I done the same thing you did, and I went on with the same head gasket{ not saying take my advice} and it runs fine. So if you want to make sure its going to last then get another one, but if you trust it to last then run it. The best thing I found to do was Set the head and timing chain inplace and then install the timing cover and torque everything properly, just be careful of the head gasket going between the head and top of timing cover. Good luck