Finally getting around to replacing the headgasket on my '92 na sedan. Head was super-easy to take off per the FAQ directions, but now I'm noticing some inconsistencies between the holes in the block, the holes on the head, and the holes in my new headgasket - weird. Could use some clarification!

- the head itself has at least 4 coolant channels completely sealed off due to various administrations of 'stop leak' products by previous owners. I plan on chipping this gunk out and cleaning everything up. But I noticed that on the back of the head (next to the firewall) that there are no coolant channels whatsoever. However, both the old and new gasket, and the block, have two small round holes for coolant. Very weird. Is this some kind of redundant feature? The car is a '92, and the head is stamped '92, so I'm assuming it's the original head.

- the new headgasket has several coolant holes which are considerably smaller than the ones on the old gasket, and indeed the ones in the block. This is an Elring, but it has an 'OEM' hologram sticker on the package. It's definitely the right part # according to EEuroparts, where I got it from. Would this just be a subsequent re-designing of the part, perhaps?

Any thoughts most welcome!