The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Head gasket question

Hello;
I am working on a 1952 GMC 9430 that has a Canadian 216 motor which is built on a 235 block. I have finally found a good head which has been ground and cleaned and all ready to go. I was comparing the gasket to the head and block and noticed that there is two 1" openings in the head that do not line up with an opening in the head or block. See the picture at this link which shows the gasket and head lined up. Look at the bottom of the head where the two 1" holes are;
http://s1142.photobucket.com/user/52_Ton/media/New%20Head/IMG_1950.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

http://s1142.photobucket.com/user/52_Ton/media/New%20Head/IMG_1951.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6

The gasket will cover these openings with no hole in the block; http://s1142.photobucket.com/user/52_Ton/media/New%20Head/IMG_1956.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s1142.photobucket.com/user/52_Ton/media/New%20Head/IMG_1955.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
Are these two holes just casting holes used to get the sand out during manufacturing?

One other question is the manual says to soak the gasket in water before the install. Should I do this or use the copper spray I have read about?

Thanks
Mark

I don't know about your specific situation, but 216s and 235s I have worked on share the no-apparent-reason hole deal.
Carl

Mark,
I think this is the issue I had with my 261 and its 848 head. Blocked holes in the head with the gasket...

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...in=162425&Number=1102016#Post1102016

Maybe this will help.
Fox

I just did a 1959 235 and there is no blocked holes. The head gasket I used was a Fel-Pro Copper. There ARE holes in the gasket that are there for no apparent reason. Its good you are
checking before installing the head!

I had something similar on my 216. I believe there is only one gasket made for that motor so I wouldn't worry about it being wrong. Also, I would not soak it in water. I don't use any type of sealer on a composite head gasket

Thank You Gentlemen;
I was pretty sure there was no issue with a blocked port in the head when there is no corresponding hole in the block. My first concern was that the head was wrong but when compared with the original head all holes line up.
I will double check to see if there are any head bolt holes in the block that penetrate the water jacket, thanks for that heads up.
Now that the head issue is over I can move forward on the build….once the cash comes back :-)

Have a great weekend!

Mark

I would be concerned when there is a hole in the block and there is not a matching hole in the head.

I think that the gasket is made to fit more then one specific application.