The Ford Barn

joel · 03-26-2023, 03:20 PM

I have Best copper sandwich head gaskets . They are identical. each has some smaller water holes in one end of the gasket. The other end has holes the same size as the head. (edelbrock heads) my question is ; do the small holes in the gaslet go to the waterpunp end or to the bell housing end?
Thanks. Joel

Bored&Stroked · 03-26-2023, 10:55 PM

I'd put the smaller holes in front - to help force more water to the rear of the block - where it is always running hotter.

This is why when Ford came out with the 49-53 8BA series, they put larger water holes in the block in the back.

joel · 03-26-2023, 11:58 PM

Thanks for the reply.On the Edlebrock site ,there is a picture of the gasket that implies the small holes are to the front with one circled . It says to use that hole as the location to drill the head IF a bypass is required. I had not heard of that before. Would that bypass the thermostat?

69a · 03-27-2023, 04:08 AM

I thought Composite Gaskets were better than copper with aluminum heads.

Bored&Stroked · 03-27-2023, 07:41 AM

If you have a link to the Edelbrock website, drop in on here and I'll see what they have to say. I'm not aware of any bypass situation on a 59x engine.

joel · 03-27-2023, 09:32 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Page one of install PDF:
https://edelbrock-instructions-v1.s3...brock/1125.pdf

Sorry, I woke up late this morning. Joel

joel · 03-27-2023, 09:40 AM

Solid copper for higher cylinder pressures, I think. I look at these as the best of both worlds.

V8 Bob · 03-27-2023, 10:07 AM

Joel, the bypass has to do with using early/late block/head combos.

joel · 03-27-2023, 04:49 PM

I'm going with smaller holes in front ( water pump end of the block)

Mart · 03-28-2023, 07:56 AM

Sometimes gaskets have a notch along one edge to denote the front.

joel · 03-29-2023, 04:51 AM

Yes, mine has the notch. This is my first time with a FH and I didn't want to assume anything.

03-26-2023, 03:20 PM	#1
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	59 AB head gasket orientation I have Best copper sandwich head gaskets . They are identical. each has some smaller water holes in one end of the gasket. The other end has holes the same size as the head. (edelbrock heads) my question is ; do the small holes in the gaslet go to the waterpunp end or to the bell housing end? Thanks. Joel

03-26-2023, 10:55 PM	#2
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation I'd put the smaller holes in front - to help force more water to the rear of the block - where it is always running hotter. This is why when Ford came out with the 49-53 8BA series, they put larger water holes in the block in the back.

03-26-2023, 11:58 PM	#3
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation Thanks for the reply.On the Edlebrock site ,there is a picture of the gasket that implies the small holes are to the front with one circled . It says to use that hole as the location to drill the head IF a bypass is required. I had not heard of that before. Would that bypass the thermostat?

03-27-2023, 04:08 AM	#4
69a Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 145	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation I thought Composite Gaskets were better than copper with aluminum heads.

03-27-2023, 07:41 AM	#5
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation If you have a link to the Edelbrock website, drop in on here and I'll see what they have to say. I'm not aware of any bypass situation on a 59x engine.

03-27-2023, 09:32 AM	#6
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Page one of install PDF: https://edelbrock-instructions-v1.s3...brock/1125.pdf Sorry, I woke up late this morning. Joel

03-27-2023, 09:40 AM	#7
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation Solid copper for higher cylinder pressures, I think. I look at these as the best of both worlds.

03-27-2023, 10:07 AM	#8
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,520	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation Joel, the bypass has to do with using early/late block/head combos.

03-27-2023, 04:49 PM	#9
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation I'm going with smaller holes in front ( water pump end of the block)

03-28-2023, 07:56 AM	#10
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation Sometimes gaskets have a notch along one edge to denote the front.

03-29-2023, 04:51 AM	#11
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 59 AB head gasket orientation Yes, mine has the notch. This is my first time with a FH and I didn't want to assume anything.