The Ford Barn

cavecreekjake · 08-01-2015, 11:12 AM

Have an 8BA block, and Navarro 59AB heads...
Got Best GraphTite head gaskets... The coolant holes in the gasket are only about 1/4", while the head and block are approx. 1/2" and 3/4" (?)
Shouldn't the gasket match the head/block?
Would think the coolant flow would be severely restricted.
??
(the old gasket had large holes top center and middle, but small on bottom, and the gasket showed the 'imprint of the larger block/head holes)

cavecreekjake · 08-01-2015, 11:38 AM

..just searched old posts, and all semi-related posts say do not enlarge holes....
So, unless anyone else has more info, I'll go with "as is"...
Thanks

JSeery · 08-01-2015, 12:30 PM

The holes in the head gasket are the correct size as is, don't mess with them.

billfish · 08-01-2015, 01:21 PM

Related question-I recently installed a head gasket on my 8ba and as shown in attached picture there was a water jacket hole in the old gasket that was completley blanked off in the new gasket. I installed it anyway and have noticed no difference in cooling. Difference was in lower left side of left side head.

Ronnie · 08-02-2015, 08:30 AM

The holes in the block are to aid the removal of sand after the casting process. The openings in the gasket regulate the flow of coolant through the block.The gaskets today are designed correctly.This is true of all head gaskets out there.

R

billfish · 08-02-2015, 06:26 PM

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The head gasket that came out had the opening in it and it did not look that old. I guess it has been re-designed and the powers that be decided it should be blocked off?

JSeery · 08-02-2015, 08:54 PM

I believe on the 8ba there was an effort to force water flow to the rear of the block/heads so it doesn't just "short circuit" from the pump to the return in the head. the 8ba was intended to have improved cooling over the 59a.

41LjH · 08-03-2015, 04:40 AM

i believe 8BA blocks and 59A heads do not line up without modification. The water passages are not the same.The problem you have may be a function of the head gasket you are using.
In other words a 8BA head gasket won't line up with the 59A heads and the 59A head gasket won't line up with the 8BA block. I know others have made this combination work and I believe they plug some of the passages on the 8BA block.

cavecreekjake · 08-03-2015, 08:55 AM

Yes, 41... there is a hole in the front of the 8BA block (on both sides) that has to be plugged when using the early heads.... have done that...

08-01-2015, 11:12 AM	#1
cavecreekjake Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27	Head Gasket question... Have an 8BA block, and Navarro 59AB heads... Got Best GraphTite head gaskets... The coolant holes in the gasket are only about 1/4", while the head and block are approx. 1/2" and 3/4" (?) Shouldn't the gasket match the head/block? Would think the coolant flow would be severely restricted. ?? (the old gasket had large holes top center and middle, but small on bottom, and the gasket showed the 'imprint of the larger block/head holes)

08-01-2015, 11:38 AM	#2
cavecreekjake Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27	Re: Head Gasket question... ..just searched old posts, and all semi-related posts say do not enlarge holes.... So, unless anyone else has more info, I'll go with "as is"... Thanks

08-01-2015, 12:30 PM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Head Gasket question... The holes in the head gasket are the correct size as is, don't mess with them.

08-02-2015, 08:30 AM	#5
Ronnie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Where it snows Posts: 2,058	Re: Head Gasket question... The holes in the block are to aid the removal of sand after the casting process. The openings in the gasket regulate the flow of coolant through the block.The gaskets today are designed correctly.This is true of all head gaskets out there. R

08-02-2015, 06:26 PM	#6
billfish Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: egg harbor twp nj Posts: 303	Re: Head Gasket question... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The head gasket that came out had the opening in it and it did not look that old. I guess it has been re-designed and the powers that be decided it should be blocked off?

08-02-2015, 08:54 PM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Head Gasket question... I believe on the 8ba there was an effort to force water flow to the rear of the block/heads so it doesn't just "short circuit" from the pump to the return in the head. the 8ba was intended to have improved cooling over the 59a.

08-03-2015, 04:40 AM	#8
41LjH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NW North Carolina Posts: 461	Re: Head Gasket question... i believe 8BA blocks and 59A heads do not line up without modification. The water passages are not the same.The problem you have may be a function of the head gasket you are using. In other words a 8BA head gasket won't line up with the 59A heads and the 59A head gasket won't line up with the 8BA block. I know others have made this combination work and I believe they plug some of the passages on the 8BA block. __________________ 3 pedals, 3 gears, no valve-covers.. *Now THAT* is a hot rod** !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmwwB34vxJE

08-03-2015, 08:55 AM	#9
cavecreekjake Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 27	Re: Head Gasket question... Yes, 41... there is a hole in the front of the 8BA block (on both sides) that has to be plugged when using the early heads.... have done that...