same mistake can be made on the 351c head gaskets..
Sam

 

Well, there's more to the story. There are really only two companies making flattie head gaskets now, Victor Reinz and Best, maybe Detroit Gasket. When you buy FelPro, the head gaskets (only) are actually VR's. There was quite a discussion on the differences between the two gaskets (the ones with/without the hole) as to which was correct. Water flow in an 8BA is supposed to be from the front of the block, to the rear, up into the head at the rear, toward the front. Some water goes from block to head at each cylinder, but the big passages are to encourage that kind of flow. The 8BA cooling system was considered a significant improvement over the 59-series engines'.

Some say the gaskets without the "extra" hole at the rear are part of the 8BA scheme, and better balances the flow. Others have had cooling issues using that gasket. I don't even know if those gaskets are still being sold.

As far as flipping them, it only affects one or two holes, so it will run cool most of the time but when it's hot, there's a problem. I don't remember exactly, but I think it's the extreme front or rear holes that get blocked. You have to look close to see that it's happening. MTFlat may have more info on this, he was part of the discussion.

Here's a piece on Red's Headers "Engine Talk" page. It says it all about cooling issues in a short piece.... Red's Engine Talk

 

Well Ross based on the input that has been revised on the thread, I agree with you. But based on the PM inputs I recievend, the engine was running normally.

The technical question is interesting, but after getting different reading than were posted here, I have to ask if the inputs we are recieving are reliable at all. You are MUCH better at Flathead characteristics thanI am and I think your input will be much more qualified than mine at this point! Have fun!