Steam holes huh?

[LilRedBronco]

Update- I put this in a later post but should put it here too incase it helps others down the road who search for this info...

***When I got home from work I looked at the old heads to get an idea of what the holes looked like etc. I was surprised to find upon a very close inspection that the machine shop apparently welded/brazed over the old steam holes in the heads and did the same to the block. They apparently bored the block like a newer block with the same passageways. I gotta say they did a masterful job. I found some picts of a more modern 302 to see what the galleys looked like and it is identical. Except that over time and with heat etc the welded/brazed areas are discolored a bit so you can see where the work was done.****


I was looking at the instructions for me new edelbrock performer heads and note that for my old 72 ford 302 it says I need to drill steam holes. It is a bit unclear as it looks like you only drill two.

Now is this something I can do with a drill and drill bit or am I going to need a shop to do it? Is it mandatory or can I get by with out them (please say yes) That sounds a lot like work and not like fun.

If I have to drill I have to beg my wife for the drill since she has hidden it. She is literally the coolest wife ever she never gives me any grief except for the drill.

I accidentally put a rather large drill bit DEEP in to my thigh awhile back (2-3 yrs ago) when I was working on my old Harley. And you know how wimminz always freak out about ER visits, screaming and blood.

Shoulda seen what I had to do after I had an accidental (negligent)discharge with my CCW pistol in the house %)

Protip: Do not ever offer to help me do mechanical stuff unless you want to see me bleed and cry a lot I probably shouldn't say that but I am a bit accident prone and have bad luck.

 

[22213evl]

ok not calling you up for the wrench and roast anytime soon lol.

 

[LilRedBronco]

ok not calling you up for the wrench and roast anytime soon lol.

It really is for your own good ;D

 

[Viperwolf1]

Got a link for the destructions?

 

[LilRedBronco]

Got a link for the destructions?

PDF for installation
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/edl-60329.pdf

 

[Viperwolf1]

Well the late model blocks have the holes but they are above all the cylinders. There must be some benefit to them or Ford wouldn't have done it. The instructions don't really say how many to drill. I guess how many would depend on how many holes the heads have. It's possible that the performer heads only have the holes on the end cylinders.

 

[fromme]

If I had bought a new set of heads and I had to drill in them to make them work, I'd send them back.

 

[LilRedBronco]

If I had bought a new set of heads and I had to drill in them to make them work, I'd send them back.

Well as far as I have been able to find all after market aluminum heads say (no) in the area for Steam holes pre-drilled. So at least the places I have looked Summit, Jegs, Amazon, for the TFS, AFR and Edelbrock heads none of them have predrilled according to the sites.

I am guessing they don't mass produce specific heads for early 302 blocks. The late model blocks (unless I have it backwards) don't need to have steam holes drilled.

In other words as far as I can tell for early 302 Windsor blocks if you want aftermarket alum heads you have to drill. I am not sure if it is a must do or a can do though.

 

[Hal9000]

Based on what I see in the instructions, you need to place the head gasket over the head, mark the location of the steam hole, and drill a 1/8" hole. no reason you can't use a hand drill for this, but you'll have to make sure you 1) use a sharp drill and relatively low speed and pressure so the hole stays neat and you don't break the bit. 2) debur the edges of the hole carefully once you're done.

3) don't drill holes in your body

 

[HoldMyPocket]

I did a quick google search for "302 drill steam holes" and found a lot of interesting reads. I personally would go ahead and drill it based on everyone's responses in what I read.

These were the most helpful links:
http://www.speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=190810&sid=aa923396a53e1f8085214a616afefa3f

https://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/all-ford-techboard/425402-steam-holes-block-drill.html

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_i_...s_into_the_engine_block_when_installing_heads.

 

[medwards01]

Hey man, based on your past history with sharp things that rotate and things that go bang, bang, my vote is to let the machine shop drill the steam holes....It will probably be a whole lot less painful and less expensive than the medical bills.

 

[LilRedBronco]

I did a quick google search for "302 drill steam holes" and found a lot of interesting reads. I personally would go ahead and drill it based on everyone's responses in what I read.

These were the most helpful links:
http://www.speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=190810&sid=aa923396a53e1f8085214a616afefa3f

https://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/all-ford-techboard/425402-steam-holes-block-drill.html

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_i_...s_into_the_engine_block_when_installing_heads.

Ok thanks I searched and apparently my abilities are lacking. I really appreciate the links...

Thanks everyone appreciate the input. I will try to keep myself in one piece.

 

[ryoungbronco]

It sounds like the holes that go to the carb to help warm it up. I found that out when I bought my AFR heads and they said it didn't have the steam holes. Thought it might be a problem but it is not unless you drive in very cold weather. Additionally, my edelbrock intake doesn't have holes too so even if the heads did have the holes it would not help. Another problem is that is technically makes the engine not street legal, something about the EGR.

 

[Dan's73]

I had some advice to skip this step so I did. Once I got everything back together & followed the cam break-in procedure I started noticing things. The engine was running hot and could hear what sounded like the thermostat popping. I tried new thermostats, fans, burping the cooling system repeatedly, etc., etc. The last thing that came to mind was the "steam hole" that I didn't drill.

On a slow weekend with nothing better to do, I figured I'd go ahead and pull the heads, drill the hole (I thought it was only one, but it's been a LONG time), and see if it made a difference. A hand drill worked fine; do use a new bit. I also setup a magnet & my shop vac in an attempt to catch /suck up the metal as I drilled so it wouldn't go into the block. Take your time, use some cutting fluid, and all should be well.

It did make a difference as there was no more popping sound and the running temps seemed more in line with what they're supposed to be.

 

[LilRedBronco]

After reading the links and some other stuff I think I'll just drill them shouldn't take too long (unless I put it through my eye or something) When I have some time before tomorrow I realized I can use Summit's live chat and ask them they seem to have pretty good tech support. I'll see what they say although I doubt they'd ever say NAH don't worry about the instructions do whatever you want lol.

 

[NYLES]

Think Id call a machine shop that knows Fords and ask em? See what they tell ya.

I didnt have to on mine buts its a 83 block and AFR heads.

Called a machinest that knows for ya but they quit at 12 on fri. Sorry!

 

[LilRedBronco]

Think Id call a machine shop that knows Fords and ask em? See what they tell ya.

I didnt have to on mine buts its a 83 block and AFR heads.

Called a machinest that knows for ya but they quit at 12 on fri. Sorry!

Hello tell them to get back to the shop answer the phone so you can get me an answer. Obviously they do not know who they are dealing with. Can't believe you called, crazy person, thanks for the effort I do appreciate it.

 

[Terkish]

My 2 cents. 1) drill holes. 2) have a buddy opperate the drill and stand back ot of drill bit range ;D good luck

 

[blubuckaroo]

Are there steam holes in the block? If there aren't, don't drill the heads. If I remember right early 289s had steam holes. My '77 302 doesn't.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Are there steam holes in the block? If there aren't, don't drill the heads. If I remember right early 289s had steam holes. My '77 302 doesn't.

I may be way off base here but I think the edlebrock heads already have the holes. They want you to drill the block to match.