passages on the front that are blocked off. I read John's installation

           pointers and he says that is the correct.

               My question, would it help or hinder if I opened these passages?

           My engine deck had a .0015 low spot next to one of the water passages

           above #1 (I think it was!). The block was decked at the machine shop

           before assembly but Reed(my son) said it looks as if it didn't "clear up"

           and the machinst missed it! It "blew" the gasket there.

                I'm tearing it back down to get it re-decked at another shop.

                I was just wondering about the blocked passages....

                                              Bill

Bill

Pelham,Al

          John says that's correct. What I'm seeing on the old gasket

          is marks of rusty water on both side of the gasket where those

          passages have it blocked. John says the "open" holes go to the

          rear and closed to the front.(that's where I had them) I'm

          not saying the gasket "blew" because of it(the deck had a low spot)

          I just wondered why these passages would be blocked off!!!

                                        Bill

Bill

Pelham,Al

My take on the subject is that if those holes were opened, the water would take the path of least resistance and circulate principally in the front, thereby causing the rear of the block and heads to run hotter.  My 2 cents.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John, add another .02 cents worth to that!

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Wow!  This is just like an auction.  We are up to .04 already.  But I wonder who gets all the money when the bidding stops?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Only guessing it would in the casting procedure?

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

The cylinder heads do not have blocked passages at one end as that would make the heads specific to the left or right side.  Aussiebill’s guess that the block is open at the front due to casting considerations is as good a reason as any and very likely correct.  But assuming the block could have been cast without the coolant passages at the front, then the head gasket could be used without consideration for a front or rear of the gasket providing provisions for two mirrored holes were in the gasket to insure a supply of oil to the topend regardless of which way the gasket was installed.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)