I pulled my motor from my 03 ranger edge, I have a new OEM Ford 3.0 shortblock, just got the heads back from machine shop, new springs, valves, hardned seats ect...
I went to install the heads and I am confused on the inst I found online... it states that the v notch in the head gaskets goes toward the front of the motor... thats all fine.....for only 1 side...the LH. in order to have the dowel and the water passage (round next to the dowel) on the RT side, the notch will be on the back of the block.

Does anyone have pics of how they put their gaskets on their 3.0? thanks in advance
I took pics after I got the heads off but the gaskets stuck to the heads and I didn't get pics of that....

 

I don't have pics but the gaskets should only go one way and have everything line up correctly. If all holes line up then i don't see why the notch would make a difference but its possible your gasket set has incorrect parts. I got a set of fellpro valve cover gaskets that someone had put the wrong ones in the box.

 

There are 3 different sets of 3.0l head gaskets, not interchangable
Ranger 3.0l
Taurus 3.0l
Duratec 3.0l

The ones I have used had "TOP" and "FRONT" on each gasket

 

http://dgzmd7u6z2by7.cloudfront.net/...0260/large.JPG
these I got from the head shop say nothing.. just a notch in the front of the gasket.. saw online that the notch is for TRUCK use.... here are what mine look like

 

Found a video on youtube.. guy had same gaskets and stated the manual was wrong.. the driver side (LH) notch goes forward, and the RH side goes to the rear.

Fixed, heads and intake are on.. not just for the oil pan gasket, prime the motor, set the cam sensor, add the extras and drop it in.

I did find something disturbing though... pulled the fuel rail..and the orings.. it's all rusted and nasty inside... i mean bad! the truck ran fine...besides the rod knock...so now I need to find another fuel rail for it....