exchange 8ba cyl heads with 59ab

Wouldn't you try to "port match" the water passages in the early block to match the late gaskets and heads where possible?

Yes - that is my general idea here . . . but this is bench racing, have not compared both blocks up close and personal (though I have both sitting in my shop).

I'll take some pictures for shits and giggles . . .
 
This works well for circle track. There are 4 inlets on the top of the heads but no pic of that.
It worked ok on the street once also but water flow was in the normal direction there.
 

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Wouldn't you try to "port match" the water passages in the early block to match the late gaskets and heads where possible?

That was my understanding. The head gasket controls the water flow, IF the corresponding water passages are there in the block (as in added).
 
I would think that if you were to "port match" the water passages in the 59ab block to match the 8ba style heads you probably would not be able to use the earlier heads again if you ever wanted to.
 
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