The Ford Barn

46ford · 05-03-2012, 04:57 AM

24-stud, large water jacket openings. 3-bolt timing cover. '38 to '42 90 hp? Need to get head gaskets.

Do headgaskets go smooth side up or crimped side up?

Bill Steiner · 05-03-2012, 09:31 AM

I always put the crimp side up. Just my opinion, but i think it is easier to smooth off the head than the block at a later time. Bill

Bruce Lancaster · 05-03-2012, 01:18 PM

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Also, Ford essentially obsoleted the keystone gaskets you pictured. For better cooling in the keystone engines they recommended '46-8 round hole gaskets and minor redrilling on the center row of holes in early heads. Info is covered in the '37-48 engine manual, I summarized the simple work in an older post:

Got it...Ford V8 overhaul manual, '37--48:

Look at central vertical row: Topmost hole gets drilled to 3/4", skip one, third from top goes to 5/8", next two nada. All done!

Late gaskets are the same R and L but have a front and back due to some small hole size differences...so because of this, one goes crimp up, the other crimp down!

05-03-2012, 09:31 AM	#2
Bill Steiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 263	Re: ID this engine I always put the crimp side up. Just my opinion, but i think it is easier to smooth off the head than the block at a later time. Bill

05-03-2012, 01:18 PM	#3
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: ID this engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Also, Ford essentially obsoleted the keystone gaskets you pictured. For better cooling in the keystone engines they recommended '46-8 round hole gaskets and minor redrilling on the center row of holes in early heads. Info is covered in the '37-48 engine manual, I summarized the simple work in an older post: Got it...Ford V8 overhaul manual, '37--48: Look at central vertical row: Topmost hole gets drilled to 3/4", skip one, third from top goes to 5/8", next two nada. All done! Late gaskets are the same R and L but have a front and back due to some small hole size differences...so because of this, one goes crimp up, the other crimp down!