Had the pleasure of talking to Don Racine, who confirmed that the image I sent was indeed the top of the gasket and that it is not defective, but appears as designed.  But with that said, he too advised that I use a higher-grade gasket given the previous failure in that spot. I went with his advice and ordered TAM1521.

Thanks for the advise and encouragement to trade up. Here's hoping the new gasket arrives before the heatwave ends.

I've got one for use with my 68mm 998, but I'm not convinced it is going to work...

Alex, did you buy a solid copper gasket yet. It sounds like you don't like them either. I loved the black gaskets for 998s they had several years ago. I'm not happy with cheap copper/steel gaskets. I only use the the Payen ones. I think some kits offer the silver 998 gasket like the above picture. I installed one of them supplied by owner over my objections. It failed within a few weeks. I replaced the gasket, cyl. head, and head studs.

Back in the day when I was doing SB chevys with steel shim gaskets once the block and head surfaces were machined we spray painted the gasket two sides with silver paint allow it to dry then spray both sides and install wet. Steve (CTR)

Generally speaking, it is my understanding that the larger side of the fire ring is intended to face up if there is no other indication.

Thanks for the the clarification, Alex. I'll contact Minimania tomorrow and see about trading up.

Solid copper gaskets require specific surface finishes and a sealant, and are a nightmare.

Off the shelf copper/steel gaskets are superb and are a doddle to use.

The engine is a Mini Mania rebuild that I bought in 1998 and it used the same gasket.  Plus when researching the purchase I remember reading that copper gaskets were less reliable for sealing coolant.

Nasty, nasty, nasty gasket - get a copper or composite one.  

The only time I ever fitted one of these, a jet of water came out of the front of the engine as I cranked for oil pressure after torquing the head back down...

//www.minimania.com/part/AF460/Austin-Mini-High-Performance-1275-Head-Gasket

//www.minimania.com/part/TAM1521-P/Head-Gaskets--Sprite--Mg-Midget--Mini--Morris--Various-Sizes

Gasket to use is the BK450, those alu. ones are junk

It's 60 degrees in Wisconsin today (32 is average high) so I'm taking advantage and putting the head back on 1275 A+ using gasket kit CCF473. Haynes says the gasket will indicate the correct orientation, but this gasket has no markings.  The only discernible difference is the rings around the cylinders. I have attached a photo of what I believe is the top.  So two questions:

1. Is this the top?

2, Is this head gasket usable? It There is a blank spot between cylinders 2 & 3, but none of the others, and the gasket I'm replacing was filled in between 2 & 3, just like the other cylinders.  This is wear the gasket failed, so I'm not feeling confidant about this piece.

Thanks for any advise you can lend.
Doug