Just got my gasket kit so I can reassemble my 312. The head gaskets are 7999PT Fel Pro and they came with an instruction sheet that calls for drilling holes in the block deck and matching head surface. These holes would be located between cylinders 2 & 3 and cylinders 6 & 7. an upper hole of 11/64" and a lower hole of 1/4". The holes are in the gaskets and according to Fel Pro drilling matching holes in the head and deck will aid in cooling the motor. Is this a good thing ? Or should I avoid the proceedure ?

Pete

Here’s a past post on the steam holes.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic10608.aspx

Doing a search on this site will net some other discussions. I’m personally not a fan of the steam holes but they can be of benefit on the 1960-1962 Ford cars where the water levels may get lower than normal. On the pickups and earlier model cars with the taller radiators, the benefit is questionable. Other than these holes being just large enough to purge air from the block, they are not large enough to do any additional engine cooling by themselves. If they were any larger, they would divert coolant that would normally be forced to the back of the block and in turn create some other issues.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)