I have a 1988 LT250R.
I have a Suzuki head gasket,
a Cometic head gasket,
a Moose head gasket, and
a Vesrah head gasket.

The Suzuki, Moose, Vesrah head gaskets all look the same.
2 water jackets with 2 approx pencil sized holes in each.
2 water jackets with 2 oval holes in each.
1 water jacket completely closed off and
1 water jacket with 1 approx pencil sized hole.

The Cometic head gasket and the picture in my Suzuki manual look the same.
3 water jackets with 2 approx pencil sized holes in each.
3 water jackets with 2 oval holes in each.

Why are they different, which is supposed to be used.

Thanks to anybody that can shed some light on this, I see a cool head with o-rings in my future.

 

Different mfg's do different things...probably based on the assumption they are making improvements over OEM.

The smaller orafaces in the gaskets are intended to redirect coolant flow through the cylinder. (Therefore, it's really important to get them installed correctly)

Hope this helps

 

The larger holes in the head gasket go over the intake and the smaller hole pattern goes over the right front.

 

I know how to place the gasket on cylinder.

My question is, is it correct to use the gasket with holes all the way around or use the gasket with one water passage blocked off.

Does it matter which gasket it used.

If it doesnt matter which gasket is used then why are some of the gaskets made with one of the passages blocked off.

 

I use the ones with holes all the way around, my quad never overheats, but it takes at least 10 minutes to get warmed up, and it will not warm up sitting at idle even for half an hour, you have to ride it to fully warm it up.

 

Ronnnnn
The bike manufacturers design a water path into the cylinder and head assembly. On the Suzuki the water comes in on the front right at the base gasket. The water comes in and is partially blocked by the small holes in the gasket. This makes the water travel across the cylinder to the larger holes in the head gasket. The water then goes into the head and goes across the dome then out to the radiator. This way the cool water worms up as it goes by the exhaust then goes across the cylinder up into the head across the head then out. This procedure cools evenly and gets the heat out of the entire top end.