head gasket mods, HELP!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
head gasket mods, HELP!
the coolant holes in my heads and block are about the size of a nickel, and the holes in my head gasket are the size of a BB. is this right? can i enlarge the holes for better cooling or is it supposed to be that way?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Not me, but I just finished my 1st complete rebuild of my 74 / 454.
My new head gaskets were exactly as you describe. My original GM gaskets which I removed were the same. (BB sized holes on the top I think) In fact, there will be what appears to be a water port (i think towards the front passenger side) that will be totally closed off by the gasket. Here again, the original was the same. I had the same confusion, so I just compared the Felpro 8550s to the originals. Worked fine!
Bolt those ****** on!
Torque to 85 lbs.
Be sure to use plenty of thread sealant.
http://uncutvideo.aol.com/users/foty...c4ff78?index=0
My new head gaskets were exactly as you describe. My original GM gaskets which I removed were the same. (BB sized holes on the top I think) In fact, there will be what appears to be a water port (i think towards the front passenger side) that will be totally closed off by the gasket. Here again, the original was the same. I had the same confusion, so I just compared the Felpro 8550s to the originals. Worked fine!
Bolt those ****** on!
Torque to 85 lbs.Be sure to use plenty of thread sealant.
http://uncutvideo.aol.com/users/foty...c4ff78?index=0
Last edited by fotyfobravo; Jun 12, 2007 at 10:15 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Take a look at modded FP-1003 gasket. Notice 1003 is intended as 350 gasket. IIRC, old Brodix catalogs suggest opening up the top-center "BB hole" to 3/8".
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ooling_tricks/
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ooling_tricks/
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
the holes are there to keep all the water from exiting the block into the heads to fast. Ideally the block would have the same size hole but that's almost impossible with a casting. So they build in the orifice into the gasket to keep proper water flow through the block and heads.
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