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40 Deluxe · 08-07-2015, 11:27 AM

What about the vast majority of other engines where the coolant flows into the FRONT of the block and exits the FRONT of the head, even on straight eights? Why doesn't the coolant just circulate around the front cylinder or two?
Answer: Head gasket design. The holes for the coolant passages are small at the front of the engine, restricting flow, and large at the rear, allowing more flow. So if the engineers sized the holes right, flow would be equal at each cylinder.
On many engines, the head gaskets can be installed backwards and the bolt holes will line up, but the coolant passage openings are reversed and will starve the back cylinders and the engine will overheat. Seen it happen!

08-07-2015, 11:27 AM	#5
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,818	Re: Cooling System Design Flaw What about the vast majority of other engines where the coolant flows into the FRONT of the block and exits the FRONT of the head, even on straight eights? Why doesn't the coolant just circulate around the front cylinder or two? Answer: Head gasket design. The holes for the coolant passages are small at the front of the engine, restricting flow, and large at the rear, allowing more flow. So if the engineers sized the holes right, flow would be equal at each cylinder. On many engines, the head gaskets can be installed backwards and the bolt holes will line up, but the coolant passage openings are reversed and will starve the back cylinders and the engine will overheat. Seen it happen!