Correct, Norton. The side that faces up on the
gasket has the word "top" embossed into it. Clearly
that is the face-up side.
Once you determine the face-up side with the tab
at the rear of the engine, that would be the only
way the gasket can go on.
I must question why there are holes in the block that the gasket covers up. Seems a reasonable concern, no?
Also, in Paul's picture, the hole at the front of the
block that is rimmed in brass or copper looks as if it's
a hole in the gasket and maybe no hole in the block.
Hmmmmmm...........