Head gaskets

elmangle

elmangle

Member
Getting ready to reinstall one of the heads on my 8rt engine and I notice in the catalogs a significant difference between composite and copper gaskets.
The composites have only a small hole connecting the lower tear-drop-shaped passages whereas the copper gasket orifice matches the shape exactly. Is there a reason for this, and is one better than the other?
 
I think the holes in the gaskets regulate water flow. Somebody that knows more than me will comment. I had leaking problems with copper gaskets. Replaced them with "Best" brand composite gaskets. No problems after several years of running.
 
Interesting.....the Best catalog shows composites with a restricted passage, and two different coppers, one restricted and one not. I assumed by the numbers that was might have been left and the other right, but the text doesn't say.
 
At some point between 1949 -53 FORD engineers redesigned the water flow hole sizes in the head gasket hoping to force more "cooler" water to the rear of the block for better cooling.
 
Thanks, 19Fordy. I read everything twice, but there's still no answer to why one or the other style gasket would be preferable. Still baffled.
 
I was told that the larger holes in the block are to make it easier to remove the casting sand. Then the gaskets smaller holes control the flow to what the engineers wanted.
Cheers, Byron.
 
I would use a gasket made By "Best" gaskets. Over the years, It;s been found tht by changing some of the holes in the gasket would improve cooling. Some gasket makers haven't kept up with progress.
 
Very interesting....I checked the Best side and their gaskets are all the restricted type, so guess that's the way I'll go.
 
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