Early Heads on Late Engine

[Tony NY]

When using the early heads, in this case Edelbrock, on a late engine which head gaskets are used? Early or late? Thanks.

 

[19Fordy]

I used the early head gaskets to install the early style heads onto an 8BA block.

 

[ford38v8]

The valve location is different. The early heads must be fly-cut for clearance.

 

[flatjack9]

I believe the aftermarket heads do not require that machining. Nor do 59 style heads.

 

[ford38v8]

flatjack, I guess I only read "early" and "late".

 

[Ol' Ron]

Yep!

 

[Brian]

Does it really matter which gasket is used? How about using 8BA heads on a 59 block? I've thought about this a bit, and don't really see that it matters; there will be a mismatch of some water holes irrespective of whatever gasket is used. Can anyone elaborate more as to a particular reason one should be used in preference to the other? Thanks, Brian

 

[Brian]

btt

 

[Ol' Ron]

The gasket has allot to do with the water flow, In the case of the early heads on the late block, you have to plug two holes in the block as well as using the early head gasket. No head machine work is necessary unless you're using the 39-41 head. You can also use the early water pumps on the late block, but you need a set of Skips pumps or an aftermarket pump that had internal lubrication. With alittle thought here most parts are interchangeable.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

On the gasket choice...the 59A type gaskets have holes that are meant to force flow to both ends (slight rear bias to overcome distance, I assume) and then to center exit while 8BA setup forces most flow all the way back because water then flows full length of head to front. I think the late block needs to have some throttling down of the rear passages to serve front and rear evenly for the center outlet heads.

 

[Brian]

But, what gasket do you guys recommend when using 8BA heads on 59 block?