MTFCA Forum

This showed up on a rebuild. At some point in its career, this motor ran with the hesd gasket in backwards long enough for rust to etch the block. I wonder if this caused difficulties or untimely failures, or if this lizzie just shrugged it off and soldiered on, giving many miles and many years of dependable service ?

More than likely an early gasket that had both water port holes.

Backwards installation swaps the gasket from end to end. This does not shift the large hole between cylinders 2 and 3. Frank's explanation makes good sense.

Allan from down under.

Kerry wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:26 pm

More than likely an early gasket that had both water port holes.000_1125.JPG

Huh! Well now that makes sense, naturally still being a "newbie" even after only 12 years I learned something new again. Thanks!

When I first saw the post the thought came to me that I’ve seen that before! The older copper head gaskets had both oval openings. I haven’t seen the new ones that are made if they are that way too. Years ago that was normal to see that for me.

And at first glance before reading the post I thought the question would be if it’s about a cracked block.

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:17 am

When I first saw the post the thought came to me that I’ve seen that before! The older copper head gaskets had both oval openings. I haven’t seen the new ones that are made if they are that way too. Years ago that was normal to see that for me.

And at first glance before reading the post I thought the question would be if it’s about a cracked block.

I have a new one from Langs and it only has the one hole.

Thanks, Allan for setting me straight ! (not being especially bright, it escaped me that the center holes wouldn't change position).

Now my question is, why two large center ports ? Did engines earlier than 1913 have two central water passages ?

FWIW, the new gaskets have but one hole, as did the gasket I removed when tearing down this motor.

No problems Rich. I have had some experience with the two large holes in early heads. I had a Reeder reproduction head alloy head on my speedster with the two large holes. The block did not have the corresponding second large hole. That cylinder head warped between cylinders 2 and 3. Before it was resurfaced I made a blanking off plate and had the second large hole welded up. I later discovered that Kiwi mate had had exactly the same problem with his Reeder head, and made the same repair/modification.

Allan from down under.