[DeTomaso] Head Gasket Holes

Tony DiGiovanna tonydigi at optonline.net
Wed Jun 16 21:38:08 EDT 2010


Here is why I raise the question, and here is what I think:
I have an engine that runs 230 deg F in my Pantera, when all of my previous
engines ran 190.
It ran hotter before I removed the perfectly functional thermostat.  It ran
hotter before I had the radiator cleaned.  It ran hotter before I flushed
the block out backwards.  This engine just runs hotter.  Everything else
checks out OK.  If there is an issue, it is not an easy one to find/correct.
I'd like to bring the temp down.

Water always flows by pressure differential, so I think all the holes flow
some from the block into the head.  I think the holes are sized to be the
controlling orifice of the system; 1) to ensure positive delta-P along the
entire head (like a pull-up resister for you EEs) so flow is ensured in one
direction.  2) to ensure some fresh flow along the middle and front of the
head.  Otherwise, the rear cylinders would always be colder and the front
hotter.

However, I think the sizing is based on factory engineering or experience
with the stock 260HP engine and component.  I think the old additional
"steam hole" revision was actually just an increase in water flow.  Not sure
what steam has to do with it.  The system isn't in steam phase unless it's
already boiling - too late.

I'm thinking the flow thru entire engine could be increased by increasing
all the holes by a fixed percentage of area and result in a decrease in my
water temperature, maybe.

I'm probably going to try it.  I'll post results.

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of wkooiman at earthlink.net
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 9:13 PM
To: Tomas Gunnarsson; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Head Gasket Holes

Don't make the tiny holes bigger.  They are steam holes.

The water enters both sides of the block by the water pump.  It travels to
the back, and enters the heads.  It flows through the heads and back to the
front.  It re-enters the block, then to the thermostat in the block, and to
the water bottles.

If you make the steam holes larger, too much water will flow from the middle
of the block to the heads.  I don't know if it would happen, but I'd bet it
would cause the head to run hot near the rear of the block.

If you make the large hole near the front of the block larger, it should
make the water flow faster - assuming the hole is a restriction.  My guess
is the restriction is the thermostat housing, though, so if you make the the
large holes larger, it shouldn't do anything.

I wouldn't mess with any of the holes in the head gasket.  They are a
specific size for a reason.

-----Original Message-----
>From: Tomas Gunnarsson <guson at home.se>
>Sent: Jun 15, 2010 3:32 PM
>To: detomaso at realbig.com
>Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Head Gasket Holes
>
>Which holes are you talking about? All or only selected holes?
>
>Tomas
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com
>[mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On Behalf Of Tony DiGiovanna
>Sent: den 14 juni 2010 23:59
>To: detomaso at realbig.com
>Subject: [DeTomaso] Head Gasket Holes
>
>
>So..what happens if you make the water passage holes in the head gaskets
>bigger?
>
> 
>
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