"Best" Head Gasket Question

[41Fordor]

I did a search but am still not sure. Which head gasket do I need? My 41 221 is bone stock with 81-A heads and sleeves removed bored to 239 standard, so now it is 3 3/16.

505-G is composite listed for 39-42 with trapezoidal holes. But 515-G is "big bore" for 39-48 with round holes.

My overheating problem is worse at highway speed despite fiddling with timing; gadgiteers thermostats; Skips pumps and helmet distributor; and recored radiator. I drove it for less than 10 minutes at 65mph and it quickly got up to 210*. I'm using the infrared thermometer on the water outlets. I am about to pull the plugs after it cools off but it's running rich if anything. I have no detonation, even with the timing all the way up as far advanced as it will go. I have no water in the oil or foam in the radiator but I am thinking it has to be head gaskets.

[alan]

watch out for the big bore gaskets, just changed out a set on a 38 because they blew-not enough gasket around the bore to seal it properly.

[Mart]

I can't answer your overheating problem but would say that logically the 505-G is the one you want, or more specifically you don't need the big bore gasket. Those are for 3-3/16" engines that have been bored a big oversize. Your engine is std as far as the gasket is concerned.

Mart.

[ford1]

pluged radiator, or one with not enough cooling tubes, no shroud and slow timing are the biggest reasons for an engine that is over heating

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Just get the std gaskets for 59AB 3-3/16 bore. BEST brand graftite gasket. Walt

[41Fordor]

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It has almost 400 miles on the rebuild. It runs great, just runs hot. It even overheats with no thermostats. Skip rebuilt my distributor/coil and it fired first try on breakin. The fact that it overheats at high RPM and doesn't ping even at full advance makes me hope it's just timing.

I just pulled the plugs and they all have a nice tan color with no fouling or steam cleaning.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by 41Fordor

It has almost 400 miles on the rebuild. It runs great, just runs hot. It even overheats with no thermostats. Skip rebuilt my distributor/coil and it fired first try on breakin. The fact that it overheats at high RPM and doesn't ping even at full advance makes me hope it's just timing.

I just pulled the plugs and they all have a nice tan color with no fouling or steam cleaning.

My 40 Ford has those S shape lower rad hose. I think the 41 are the same. I noticed mine was running a little hot at high speed. I reved the engine up high while looking at the bottom hosed and noticed the hose was sucking together. I removed the hoses and installed a stainless steel spring on the hose. That will help alot. Walt