3.4 head gasket dowels

[rampeyboy]

Hello guys from a newbie! I am replacing the head gaskets on a 2000 GT1 with 3.4. When I pulled the heads, I thought it very odd that only 1 dowel pin was there, and it was stuck in the head, rather than the block. I found another one later on on the back part (right side) of the bell housing..just laying there. I have not found any more dowel pins. So should it have two for each head? I know that is convention, but I am pretty sure the one that was stuck in the head was the front head, and the other at the back part of the bell housing would have come from the back side head. Does it only use one in each head?? Thanks in advance trying to get it put back together while it's warm out!

Boyce
Columbia, SC

[snshddog]

Each head should have 2 pins. Put them in the correct place in the block and tap them in, just tap till they bottom out. They help with correct alignment of the gasket and help mate the head to the block so it doesn't shift position.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by snshddog

Each head should have 2 pins. Put them in the correct place in the block and tap them in, just tap till they bottom out. They help with correct alignment of the gasket and help mate the head to the block so it doesn't shift position.

I agree.
Has someone else had the head off before? It's possible they lost 2 of the dowels and simply lined-up the gasket and head by eye when reassembling.
It's possible to do this, if you have just lost one dowel per side, but not recommended. Ideally try to get 2 more dowels.