The Ford Barn

freak · 04-28-2014, 07:32 PM

Circled in red... there are 4 of them, about 1/4" deep. Any ideas?

SeaSlugs · 04-28-2014, 07:37 PM

Are they threaded? It kinda looks like a larger hole with an insert of some kind...

not sure why they would be there...(i am no expert by any means...)

Bob C · 04-28-2014, 08:04 PM

Aren't those the steam holes? The head probably has them also.

Bob

Vin-tin · 04-28-2014, 08:06 PM

I'm no expert either and can't help you out with the hole...
but that looks like a crack going from the threaded head stud hole to the cylinder. I'd be more worried about that than the hole.

freak · 04-28-2014, 08:35 PM

It's not a crack. It's just grime from the old gasket. Not done cleaning yet.

freak · 04-28-2014, 09:30 PM

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How big is the hole? I tried to run a wire through them and it wouldn't go. I'll try again with something smaller.

Tom Wesenberg · 04-28-2014, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freak

How big is the hole? I tried to run a wire through them and it wouldn't go. I'll try again with something smaller.

I don't have a block handy to measure, but the mating head hole is 1/4".

tbirdtbird · 04-28-2014, 09:57 PM

Oh, you mean they don't go very deep? Just 1/4 inch ??

I'd make darn sure these weren't plugged water holes. We need someone with a head off to get a good picture as to where the water holes are supposed to be in the block. I don't have a head off right now.

Some might try to match to the holes in a head gasket, but that can fool you; sometimes there are more or less holes in the block than in the gasket.

Has that block ever been hot-tanked or other-wise had some type of rust remover treatment done to it?

freak · 04-28-2014, 10:01 PM

Right they don't go deep. I tried with a piece of iron workers wire and it does not go in. I think they are plugged with a set screw or plug for some reason. Tomorrow I am going to get a better look.

Tom Wesenberg · 04-28-2014, 10:07 PM

Is this by chance a Model B block?

If so, then 2 holes need to be plugged when running a Model A head on it. I'll see if I can find a picture of the holes and plugs I used.

Tom Wesenberg · 04-28-2014, 10:22 PM

Check reply #4 in this thread for the holes that need to be plugged when using a Model A head on a B block.

If you have a B block, then someone plugged the wrong 2 holes.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...+holes+plugged

MikeK · 04-28-2014, 10:34 PM

Those two holes between 1-2 & 3-4 should be open into the water jacket to prevent air lock and resulting hot spots in the block.

hardtimes · 04-29-2014, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freak

Circled in red... there are 4 of them, about 1/4" deep. Any ideas?

Hey freak,
That is a B block..no? B blocks have four 'steam' holes about 1/4" diam.
These are plugged before decking for use of different head gasket/heads and plugs for support of gasket.

Tom Wesenberg · 04-29-2014, 03:09 AM

Here's the pictures I was looking for where I plugged the 2 center holes on my friend's B block with a Model A "B" head. I threaded the holes for socket head setscrews, then threaded them just below the surface, and filled in the tops with JB Weld. I used a razor blade to level the surface. These holes are located right near the edge of the Model A gasket, and most likely will leak if they aren't plugged.

freak · 04-29-2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Is this by chance a Model B block?

If so, then 2 holes need to be plugged when running a Model A head on it. I'll see if I can find a picture of the holes and plugs I used.

I really don't know what block it is. How can I tell the difference between the A and B block?

Mike V. Florida · 04-29-2014, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freak

I really don't know what block it is. How can I tell the difference between the A and B block?

Below the valve gallery there is a place for a fuel pump.

tbirdtbird · 04-29-2014, 09:54 AM

post a pic of the right (passenger) side of the motor if you are not sure.

If NOT a B block, no water holes should be blocked.

hardtimes · 04-29-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Here's the pictures I was looking for where I plugged the 2 center holes on my friend's B block with a Model A "B" head. I threaded the holes for socket head setscrews, then threaded them just below the surface, and filled in the tops with JB Weld. I used a razor blade to level the surface. These holes are located right near the edge of the Model A gasket, and most likely will leak if they aren't plugged.

Yup, and two , one on each end also !

freak · 04-29-2014, 07:10 PM

It's not a B block. colin1928 explained why they are blocked in another thread...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...330#post867330

What he said was that the holes are commonly blocked off when using high compression heads that don't have corresponding holes. Prevents a possible leak in that area. I got my head back today and there are no corresponding holes. Thanks everyone!

04-28-2014, 07:37 PM	#2
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Are they threaded? It kinda looks like a larger hole with an insert of some kind... not sure why they would be there...(i am no expert by any means...) __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

04-28-2014, 08:04 PM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,757	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Aren't those the steam holes? The head probably has them also. Bob

04-28-2014, 08:35 PM	#5
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 456	Re: What are these holes in the block for? It's not a crack. It's just grime from the old gasket. Not done cleaning yet.

04-28-2014, 09:30 PM	#6
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 456	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) How big is the hole? I tried to run a wire through them and it wouldn't go. I'll try again with something smaller.

04-28-2014, 09:57 PM	#8
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Oh, you mean they don't go very deep? Just 1/4 inch ?? I'd make darn sure these weren't plugged water holes. We need someone with a head off to get a good picture as to where the water holes are supposed to be in the block. I don't have a head off right now. Some might try to match to the holes in a head gasket, but that can fool you; sometimes there are more or less holes in the block than in the gasket. Has that block ever been hot-tanked or other-wise had some type of rust remover treatment done to it? __________________ '31 180A

04-28-2014, 08:06 PM	#4
Vin-tin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Eastern Pa. Posts: 543	Re: What are these holes in the block for? I'm no expert either and can't help you out with the hole... but that looks like a crack going from the threaded head stud hole to the cylinder. I'd be more worried about that than the hole. __________________ 1929 Coupe 1930 Coupe 1935 Ford 5 window coupe

04-28-2014, 10:01 PM	#9
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 456	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Right they don't go deep. I tried with a piece of iron workers wire and it does not go in. I think they are plugged with a set screw or plug for some reason. Tomorrow I am going to get a better look.

04-28-2014, 10:07 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Is this by chance a Model B block? If so, then 2 holes need to be plugged when running a Model A head on it. I'll see if I can find a picture of the holes and plugs I used.

04-28-2014, 10:22 PM	#11
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Check reply #4 in this thread for the holes that need to be plugged when using a Model A head on a B block. If you have a B block, then someone plugged the wrong 2 holes. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...+holes+plugged

04-28-2014, 10:34 PM	#12
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: What are these holes in the block for? Those two holes between 1-2 & 3-4 should be open into the water jacket to prevent air lock and resulting hot spots in the block.

04-29-2014, 09:54 AM	#17
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: What are these holes in the block for? post a pic of the right (passenger) side of the motor if you are not sure. If NOT a B block, no water holes should be blocked. __________________ '31 180A

04-29-2014, 07:10 PM	#19
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 456	Re: What are these holes in the block for? It's not a B block. colin1928 explained why they are blocked in another thread... https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...330#post867330 What he said was that the holes are commonly blocked off when using high compression heads that don't have corresponding holes. Prevents a possible leak in that area. I got my head back today and there are no corresponding holes. Thanks everyone!