I noticed in installing the coolant seals that the width of the plate groove itself is wider than the seal. So the coolant seal will tend to rest against the outer groove wall in some places, and as it goes around it shifts against the inner groove wall. Stupid question, but is this normal?? I don't want to pinch a seal. I tried to make it consistent (either rest on the inner groove wall throughout or outer groove wall), but it does what it wants to do.

 

As long as it's in the groove you'll be ok the coolant seals are designed to increase in size when they come in contact with coolant

 

Thanks man, they are contained in the grooves.

 

That's normal. As the tension bolts are tightened down, the entire engine will come together and the seals will compress to fill the grooves.

Incidentally this is why I worry when people assemble engines with RTV in the grooves. The RTV has no where to go when the engine is tightened down.