Head with water hole plugged

Mike V. Florida

Mike V. Florida

Well-known member
We are cleaning up my sons engine and found that an original head we received has the large oval hole in the center welded shut.

He tried to scrap the opening thinking it was just gunk as it was not smooth but it is metal alright.

Where could this head have been used?
Can it be used on an A block without heating problems?
 
That is the stock head as make by Ford for all Model A's built before October, 1929. Use it with no worries, as half the Model A's built had them with no problems.
 
Only the early heads had that hole, the others did not have the hole, but the head gasket still did, and the block did, so it rusts up and looks like it was welded, but is solid. The hole was probably eliminated to force water to the rear of the engine.
 
If the block you are installing that head on has the matching hole, it would be worthwhile opening the oblong hole in the head. If you have an early block without that water passage, don't worry about the head. Ford decided in 1928 that the "extra" hole was required for improved water circulation. Gar Williams
 
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