Blocked Coolant Passanges Head Gasket

[seabee]

Noticed today that SB Head Gaskets block the upper/front coolant passages to the heads from the block. I am sure there is a reason for this. Anyone have an answer?

But the rear/uppers have a passage

 

[nm9stheham]

A lot of holes are put in the block for casting purposes but are the wrong size and wrong place for proper coolant flow. So I suspect those holes are blocked/made small for coolant flow control. The /6 castings and gasket are the same way, with some holes completely blocked off.

I have also believed that sometimes in engine development, the best coolant flow pattern is not all that well known in a new engine, and changing the head gasket hole arrangement allows for some 're-engineering' of the coolant pattern as experience is gained with a new engine.

That copper color shore is purty!

 

[Tech857]

Those holes are blocked so the coolant circulates through the block, through the heads and out the intake. If they were open the coolant would go in the front of the block and be pushed right out the thermostat with out cooling much.

 

[seabee]

Thanks guys, I thought coolant routing was the reason, now I know!

 

[fishy68]

Those holes are blocked so the coolant circulates through the block, through the heads and out the intake. If they were open the coolant would go in the front of the block and be pushed right out the thermostat with out cooling much.

Spot on

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ford does it the same way.......FWIW, composition heads are not supposed to be coated with anything. Copper Coat is for metal shim type gaskets. I don't think it will hurt anything, but it's not necessary.

 

[Rapid Robert]

go to www.moparchat.com then scroll down to & click on "circle track chat" then read Sanborns' cooling mods that are in a sticky at the top of the page. Your questions will be answered. It'll take you a spell to get thru it but ABSOLUTELY worhwhile