I read that the head gaskets should have a locating tab that allows you to confirm the gaskets were installed correctly.   I've looked at all four corners and I don't see any tabs.  

If the gaskets were installed wrong, what would the symptoms be?

I am chasing a "cooling" issue with the air conditioning on......  The temperature gauge (NOT stock), goes over 200/210 if I'm in stop and go traffic, OR when I'm on the highway above 2500RPM/70MPH.
I have a 6 blade mechanical fan with stock shroud, 10" electric pusher fan, Paragon spacer, re-cored OEM radiator 3 core, high flow FlowKooler water pump.   Tried a few different thermostats.......... I also removed the freeze plugs and cleaned out the water jackets in the block

Hi
This might what you are looking for.
http://www.ford-y-block.com/assemblyerrors.htm
stuey

I am familiar with that page.   I do not see the locating "tab" (see yellow arrow)

Top front left side head: 


Bottom front left head:

There is no "tab".  As stated in the write up, the gasket has one square corner and 3 round corners.  The square corner go to the front..  From the looks of your pic of the left front, the gasket is on wrong as I do not see the square corner

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

This video will also help... https://youtu.be/NDR5KLjODis?feature=shared

It is the "7 deadly sins" video for reminders on Y Block engines. One of the sins concerns the head gasket orientation. The video includes good closeups, explanations, various head gaskets, etc.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Should the tab be visible on the top rear corner (see blue arrow)?
I don't see that tab on any of the four corners

Honestly, I don't know.    Plus, it is not a "tab"





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

As you can see from the pictures, the “tab” is really a square corner. Why there’s none showing I don’t understand.

But you’ve only got cooling problems in traffic or high speeds. One of the problems with a bird is getting air out of the engine compartment. Slow cruising in a “parade” many guys pop the hood open. You might try that, it worked for me.

Likewise at highway speed in hot weather. A friend had a bird, with a/c, that he drove cross country extensively. He rigged a strap from the hood to the crossbar on the latch’s. On the highway the hood would blow open. His was a 57, but he said at 70 the hood opened enough to start to block the view of the road. That much built up air pressure. The strap kept it from going too far. One hot summer he drove Seattle/Chicago, Rt 66 to CA, and home. Most of it with the a/c on and the hood open. The 2 birds touring with him had to stay under 70 when it was hot.

My 55 cools fine with the a/c. But it’s a BeCool aluminum radiator, a high CFM fan, and a very well cleaned block with aluminum heads.

Just a thought.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

It may be the gaskets were not shaped as originals. If they were mounted backwards, the engine is going to overheat, period.

Do you know the source?

____________________________

No.   It was rebuilt by the previous owner.  No contact with him or documentation