The Ford Barn - View Single Post - 59A-B head gaskets

Bruce Lancaster · 08-22-2011, 12:32 PM

The gaskets are actually the design point controlling water flow distribution. Some holes are big for manufaturing reasons and coring, some may have been re-tuned with gasket work late in development.
The large gasket heads, 1938-42-WWII (trapezoidal holes near center) actually no longer have any application...if you look in the Ford '37-48 engine manual you will see that engines with the early heads were to have a couple of holes redrilled and then to be fitted with 59A gaskets when worked on. You should use the gasket with all round holes in the center.

08-22-2011, 12:32 PM	#3
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: 59A-B head gaskets The gaskets are actually the design point controlling water flow distribution. Some holes are big for manufaturing reasons and coring, some may have been re-tuned with gasket work late in development. The large gasket heads, 1938-42-WWII (trapezoidal holes near center) actually no longer have any application...if you look in the Ford '37-48 engine manual you will see that engines with the early heads were to have a couple of holes redrilled and then to be fitted with 59A gaskets when worked on. You should use the gasket with all round holes in the center.