292 timing cover questions

[bfdinardo]

Hey guys,
Just a few questions for you all regarding the timing cover and mating block surface of my 1956 292. Per the pictures below, why would the timing cover have a hole on the back side of it only to be covered by the gasket and mate flat against the block not allowing coolant? Was the hole just simply part of the casting? Secondly why are there grooves cut into the block around the timing cover mating surface holes and water jacket holes? Is that again casting manufacturing or something else? Just curious questions. Thanks!

Brian

[paul2748]

I can't give you the factory explanation of the grooves, but I surmise that they are there to prevent either a water leak into the interior of the engine or an oil leak into the cooling system. If the gasket should fail at that spot the oil or water would go into the groove and down. I don't remember the hole on the gasket so can't help you there

[darrell]

ive wondered about the hole mysely.as far as the grooves go as paul said they keep antifreeze out of the engine if they give out but will also show you the leak as they run out.

[rotorwrench]

The Y-block had a lot of variations. Some blocks are different than others. This would be a good question over there on the Y-block forum if the site were working.

[Daves55Sedan]

I have always assumed that the reason for the grooves is so that gasket sealant would ooze into the grooves during installation and tightening of the cover, making the seal better than it would be without the grooves.
I cant tell what hole you refer to, but I would only pay attention to the holes where water passes through from the block to the mating timing cover casting. Clean the surfaces well and knock out any loose rust and scale from the holes, then by all means turn upside down and flush out the scale real good before re-assembly.

[KULTULZ]

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[TedEaton]

That upper coolant hole in the timing cover which doesn't transition to the block is a core hole to facilitate the removal of the sand used to cast the inner cavity within that cover.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by TedEaton

That upper coolant hole in the timing cover which doesn't transition to the block is a core hole to facilitate the removal of the sand used to cast the inner cavity within that cover.

THANX TED!

I wonder if it would be a good idea to block that opening with a cup plug to prevent possible gasket blow-out and resultant leakage?

The drainage channels(s). Would their purpose be to divert leaking coolant away from the oil pan directly under the front cover?

[rotorwrench]

FoMoCo must have had problems with the foundry process on that cover casting. The core sand can be problematic in removal but they did it in all those old flathead blocks fairly well after the discontinued the core plug holes in the bottom of the block in 1941. Ford put soft plugs in those holes on the flathead pan rails. Now soft plugs can eventually rust through or freeze out but It would be an added safety factor against warranty claims if the gasket leaked from new. All the ones I could find over the years of manufacture look pretty much the same from the 239 through the 312 with only very minor variation.

[paul2748]

I would guess when they first started casting the YBlocks they found cross contamination or a sealing problem in this area and put in the channel or groove

[5851a]

Those channels are in the smallblock timing covers along with 385 style engines too.