Which water ports get blocked by the head gaskets?

[hollowch]

Still rebuilding my 302 and I need to install these head gaskets but they do not say which sides are the fronts.

To my knowledge, you're supposed to block the front passages and allow the coolant to flow through the rear passages (so they flow from back to front through the heads).

Is that right?? Rears open... fronts blocked?

 

[bmc69]

That would be correct. It would also be the first time I've ever heard of a set of Ford V-8 head gaskets that were not marked "Front". What brand are they??

 

[hollowch]

That would be correct. It would also be the first time I've ever heard of a set of Ford V-8 head gaskets that were not marked "Front". What brand are they??

DNJ - Domestic N Japanese. They're what my machine shop ordered for me.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Confirmed
Block the front.
Flow through the rear.

 

[taylorB]

Why is there a passage in the front if you will block it?

 

[broncnaz]

just the way they are cast so the cylinder gets water around it. If the front ports are left open then incoming cool water just goes right back to the radiator and the rest of the block heats up.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Why is there a passage in the front if you will block it?

Heads interchange left and right. The front of the left head is the rear of the right head. So there has to be extra holes in the head to accomidate mounting either head on either side of the block. Side effect is the head gaskets are also interchangable, and can be flipped and installed wrong. Typically "FRONT" is printed on the gasket. doesn't matter if that is facing up or down so long as it is at the front of the engine.

Typically when you find one that was installed wrong they installed it with the printing on the top, but flipped one side front to back. Get it wrong and you loose the waterflow through that side of the engine. Won't show up as overheating as the side that flows water will still flow water to the thermostat and temp sensing probe. All will appear normal until the block cracks between the cylinders and the head is fried, only on one side of the engine. Can't remember ever hearing of someone installing both backwards, but it is possible I guess. The most typical mis-install is just one side which still results in a completely destroyed engine.

 

[73azbronco]

tabs front.

 

[Broncobowsher]

tabs front.

I have used several sets of head gaskets that don't have tabs.