59 AB head gasket orientation

joel

Well-known member
I have Best copper sandwich head gaskets . They are identical. each has some smaller water holes in one end of the gasket. The other end has holes the same size as the head. (edelbrock heads) my question is ; do the small holes in the gaslet go to the waterpunp end or to the bell housing end?
Thanks. Joel
 
I'd put the smaller holes in front - to help force more water to the rear of the block - where it is always running hotter.

This is why when Ford came out with the 49-53 8BA series, they put larger water holes in the block in the back.
 
Thanks for the reply.On the Edlebrock site ,there is a picture of the gasket that implies the small holes are to the front with one circled . It says to use that hole as the location to drill the head IF a bypass is required. I had not heard of that before. Would that bypass the thermostat?
 
If you have a link to the Edelbrock website, drop in on here and I'll see what they have to say. I'm not aware of any bypass situation on a 59x engine.
 
Solid copper for higher cylinder pressures, I think. I look at these as the best of both worlds.
 
Yes, mine has the notch. This is my first time with a FH and I didn't want to assume anything.
 
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