My shop uses a head gasket and also preheats the block.

Hoosier, Ted,

I now have a much better "grasp" of the requirements  --  thanks very much!

Regards,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

As a general rule, always use a head gasket similar to the one being used in the final assembly when using a torque plate to bore/hone the cylinders.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

My plate only has the bolt holes and combustion chamber cutouts.  I use a gasket when I bolt the plate on.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Hoosier,

Thanks a lot for the reply!

Can you, or anyone else, elaborate on whether the gaskets are used with the plate, whether it only needs to include the area around the head bolts (can the push-rod area be omitted?), any difference if it's milled-out to approximate the gasket pressure surfaces or not, etc?

Regards,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

JLB:

I don't know your son's shop's capabilities.  My plate was cut with an oxy-acetylene tracer cutting machine.  It was a piece of 2" steel, I would guess it was hot-rolled.  They cut the perimeter and the combustion chamber areas by tracing the head gasket.  The bolt holes were then drilled to match the gasket.  The process stopped there when my friend left the factory where he worked.  He gave the plate to me and I had the shop where I worked Blanchard grind both sides.  Incidentally, I see no difference in the bores whether or not I use the plate.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Folks,

I posted earlier this morning regarding 312 piston weights; but, this subject interests me too. Anyone have a picture / dimensions to fabricate a torque plate for my 312?  Older son has small machine shop where I could fabricate one; just need info. on how it's done / shat materials, etc.

Thanks,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

I agree the Y is structuraly more rigid than some of the other engines because of the deep skirt and thickness of the block. But building for more performance and wanting a little more insurance I would definitely go with the torque plate.

-Gary Burnette-

Jepito,



SALUTE! Dotting the 'I's and crossing the 'T's is what makes 'em run and keeps 'em together!



Best Wishes and keep us posted on your progress!



Regards,

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Got one from John ( thanks John). Trying to build this engine the best I can. Alum heads, stroked crank, H beam rods, IR intake, crank trigger ignition, ect. I just couldn't sleep right if I didn't torque plate it lol.