Block and Head Steam Holes


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By Richard - 11 Years Ago
I seem to remember the Street Rod Build up Y block.  Between the two middle cylinders he added two holes about three inches apart into the water jackets of the head and block. I seem to remember he called them steam holes. 
I see on my Best Gasket head gaskets two holes for this.  Is this something I should do.  If so what is the advantage.

Thanks.
Richard
 
By NoShortcuts - 11 Years Ago
IF you dig through the Forum archives, Richard, you'll find an amazing amount of discussion on the topic of 'steam holes'.  As I understand it, FoMoCo went to using them in later year y-blocks.  I decided to ask Ted Eaton what he does on the y-blocks he builds.  The exchange follows below.

Ted (3/18/2013)
NoShortcuts (3/18/2013)
Hi Ted,
Question: When you do your engine builds, do you add the steam holes to the block and heads?

On the performance builds, I simply plug the holes in the block if the holes are already there. If the holes are non-existent, I don't add them. On the stock builds and if both the heads and block have the steam holes, then I leave them assuming neither the block or the heads have cracks at those holes.

Ted's reply helped me.  Maybe it will help you.  Smile