I just picked up a complete set of Fel-Pro overhaul gaskets for 292 block.  There is a note included with the set about adding additional holes in the block and heads between  the middle 2 cylinders on each side for additional water flow (cooling) of the inner cylinders (in case they don't already exist).  Anyone done this?  Any thoughts?  Im about ready to pull the heads and install new head gaskets....correctly.

I did it on the non-posted G heads installed on my (stored) backup motor, but subsequent info (Y-Block Mag. articles?) left me with the impression that labor wasn't needed. Might even unnecessarily weaken heads substantially milled to max. compression (?).

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

it was more for trucks

i have done it for the first time on the latest engine and no problems but i still think of the way i abused these engines as a young bloke in australian summers and never had any heating troubles.something to think about.

Those two ‘steam vent’ holes are notorious for getting stopped up so it’s debatable just how effective they are over the long haul.  They are vent holes and not cooling holes.  I'll add that I have come across Y heads that had cracks coming from those vent holes which mirrors what I see on the 400 SBC engines.  Because I deal with a majority of cylinder heads that do not have the vent holes in them, I make it a point to plug those holes in the blocks before machining the decks when those holes are present.
 
Here are a couple of links to past threads on the subject.
 
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/FindPost80675.aspx
 
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic10608-1.aspx

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)