340 water passage blocked by head gasket

[BigAl]

I have the right gasket by # but it seems strange that on both sides there is a hole in head and block that is covered by the gasket on the front top of head surface. Does the water just flow into the intake? And from both sides??Why an opening on both head n block? Thanks for any help, please , no guessing.

 

[oldkimmer]

............Their designed like that so the coolant circulates...........kim......

 

[mopar410]

Yes just don't put in on backwards,say if you dont have the dowl pins to line it up right.It blocks the rear hole (both or one rear one front)

 

[BigAl]

I've got the dowel pins in and it blocks BOTH large front holes at the top of block(right above the front of block where the water pump passage is). Both (really 4 in rear 2 on each)rear holes are open,everything lines up, all holes match gasket EXCEPT the one above the front top most head bolt hole. Gasket is Felpro Q8553PT. when on the dowels one gasket has strips down other is up.

 

[TrailBeast]

That's the way they are.
No guessing.

 

[oldkimmer]

............u got it right, there is only 1 gasket # 2 do both sides............kim.......

 

[fishy68]

As mentioned, that's the way their designed to force coolant flow through the rear of the engine.

 

[BigAl]

Thanks all, and Trail Beast, thanks for not guessing. Seems on forums some want to be involved even if they "think" they have the answer. Just seemed weird to me there was a block and coolant passage and it was blocked on both banks,,why even make it? I've built several different engines in the past but never a 340. Thanks.

 

[Cudafever]

Ease of sand removal, when it was cast at the foundry.

The head gasket makes the final design as to how it flows thru the block and heads

 

[green1]

What they said; been working on, breaking small blocks since 1970. That is how they go together.

 

[BigAl]

Cool.Thanks guys.

 

[mopar410]

Yeah all LA's are built that way

 

[tubtar]

I understand that if the holes were left open most coolant would flow directly to the thermostat housing and out once you reached operating temp.
But I am wondering if a small hole punched through the gasket here wouldn't aid flow and eliminate a potential hot spot ?
Something around .100 to .125 dia. ?
Am I missing something here , or is the design meant to force coolant back through the rest of the motor before it is allowed to exit ?
Essentially , it seems like you heat the coolant in the front before sending it towards the rear of the head / block , then back to the front and out.
Once it reaches 180ish degrees , will the coolant still absorb and carry off heat as efficiently ?
I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here , but I am curious about this.
I am plumbing the coolant through the center core plugs and up to the head on my deal , and it was recommended to restrict the flow at each end of the block and force more through the center of the head where it is the hottest.
Let's face it , the manufacturers do cheap and easy much better than optimum and efficient.
Are there any hot tip circle track mods that would be applicable to a streeter with a conventional water pump ?