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  •  » Head gasket difference

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    12/12/2020 8:46 AM  #1

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Head gasket difference

    What is this passage for?
    Why on one brand and not another?

    Which also reminds me to ask....
    Is this for the 351w heads on 302? (Never did any drilling on either)


    Fel-Pro



    Victor Reinz



    Fel-Pro



    Victor Reinz

     

    12/12/2020 12:56 PM  #2

    Cab4word67
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    From: Portland, Ore
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    WOW, that is weird. Also reminds me of a time when I replaced a side cover gasket on my Harley and they didn't punch out the oil passage to the top end. I will definitely check all of this out in full detail when I  complete my rebuilding soon

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
     

    12/12/2020 4:31 PM  #3

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Just checked my old Ford "Muscle Parts" book.  Installing 351W heads on the 289-302 uses the normal 289-302 head gaskets, and the 351W intake manifold gasket.
    I do not know why the two brands are different.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    12/13/2020 8:40 PM  #4

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    I just looked at Rock Auto 65 289 mustang and 69 351w mustang.

    Fel-Pro and knock off brands all have the extra hole.

    Victor Reinz and Mahle do not have it.

    I also looked at the 69/70 cylinder heads and there is no hole there either.

    Perhaps one of our Subject Matter Experts can explain it?

    Last edited by Nos681 (12/13/2020 8:43 PM)

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    12/14/2020 6:25 AM  #5

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    What's really odd is that there's only one hole.  If there were a hole in the same location between each pair of cylinders I'd be inclined to say its a steam hole.  Chevy 400s have holes in that location because the cylinders are siamesed (no water jacket between then due to the bore size).  The steam holes prevent an area of poor cooling due to steam pocket formation by allowing steam bubbles to percolate up into the heads.  I can't figure what only one hole there would be used for though. 

     

    12/14/2020 4:44 PM  #6

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Nos681 wrote:

    What is this passage for?
    Why on one brand and not another?

    Which also reminds me to ask....
    Is this for the 351w heads on 302? (Never did any drilling on either)


    Fel-Pro



    Victor Reinz



    Fel-Pro



    Victor Reinz

    Felpro does that as a means to save weight....

     

    12/15/2020 3:55 PM  #7

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Just remembered that I have a set of Edelbrook head gaskets.  These are the suggested gaskets recommended for their aluminum heads that I installed on my 351W.  The label indicates it is for 1963-1996 289, 302 & 351 SBFs.  There is that one 'triangle' opening on both gaskets.  The top gasket that can be seen has 'Front' embossed on the gasket on the left had side of the picture.
    The Edelbrook Tech Dept might be able to answer why is there.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    12/15/2020 4:53 PM  #8

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Do any of the aftermarket heads have a port for that opening?

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    12/15/2020 5:02 PM  #9

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Dan I'd have to remove my AFRs to check, and I'm busy right now. So...

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    12/15/2020 5:28 PM  #10

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Nos681 wrote:

    Do any of the aftermarket heads have a port for that opening?

    I never looked at my head surface that close, or took a picture of them. 
    This is a picture of my old 351W block that had Edelbrook head gaskets installed, you can see the remnants of the gasket, and the 'triangle' impression. 
    I'll send you some additional pictures to your email so you can enlarge them, but it doesn't appear this opening is in the block.


     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    12/15/2020 5:30 PM  #11

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Bearing Bob wrote:

    Dan I'd have to remove my AFRs to check, and I'm busy right now. So...

     
    Just let me know after breakfast tomorrow. 😂

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    12/15/2020 5:38 PM  #12

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    BobE wrote:

    Nos681 wrote:

    Do any of the aftermarket heads have a port for that opening?

    I never looked at my head surface that close, or took a picture of them. 
    This is a picture of my old 351W block that had Edelbrook head gaskets installed, you can see the remnants of the gasket, and the 'triangle' impression. 
    I'll send you some additional pictures to your email so you can enlarge them, but it doesn't appear this opening is in the block.


     

     
    Nice looking setup Bob. I see why the change for the oil pan too.

       •Thread Starter
     

    12/16/2020 5:19 PM  #13

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    Well...looked at one of my original heads from the 65.

    Noticed something else.
    The 70 (rock auto) and my 65 are missing a set of holes in heads.
    Water passages on heads are in different locations compared to gaskets.
    65


    70


    FelPro


    Victor


    Instructions from Victor...should frame this one, antique?

    Last edited by Nos681 (12/16/2020 5:42 PM)

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    12/17/2020 6:37 AM  #14

    val fulesday
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    could that hole that you have marked in the first set of pictures, be there  because of that is some part of the manufacturing process.

     

    12/17/2020 2:15 PM  #15

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Head gasket difference

    val fulesday wrote:

    could that hole that you have marked in the first set of pictures, be there  because of that is some part of the manufacturing process.

     
    I did think of that.
    Why so close to the cylinder rings on gasket?

    Should a person drill out holes in older cylinder heads?
    Brings up more questions if you look where passages are located.

    I figure some passages might be used on aluminum heads?
    Aftermarket blocks?

    Last edited by Nos681 (12/17/2020 2:17 PM)

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