The following issue has shown up on the forum in the past, but without any apparent answers. An example from 2011 is at http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/profile.php?mode=activate&u=146496&act_key=140016
I have a blown head gasket on a 1963 641 Ford (134 ci gas), between cylinders 2 and 3. Have verified serial numbers on block. The block has two triangular water ports on the exhaust-side. The head, and all the head gaskets I have seen for the 601 have three circular water ports, located on this side, between the cylinders and closer to the cylinders. So, no water ports on this side of the engine match up. I'm sure many of you know that in the later model years of this tractor, Ford went away from sleeved cylinders to cast-in cylinders. Not sure what year that change was in, but it was that way in 1963. Also, from what I've seen, the early 2000 Ford head gaskets have the two triangular water ports in the head gasket. So, the first question is: Does anyone know why this change was made? The earlier design (with flow closer to the cylinders) seems better to me, but Ford had to have had a reason for changing. The second question is: What to do? It is possible I have an older head on a 63 block. Should I machine two new ports in the head to match the ports in the block? Machine three new ports in the block to match the head? Do nothing? Note: I rebuilt this engine in the mid 90's, recognized the problem then, and was told it was common for ports not to match up. So, I did nothing. Ever since then it has "run hot" (pre-ignition, loss of power after heating up, etc.) but has never shown hot on the temperature gauge.
I'd very much appreciate any insight you might have. Thanks.
I have a blown head gasket on a 1963 641 Ford (134 ci gas), between cylinders 2 and 3. Have verified serial numbers on block. The block has two triangular water ports on the exhaust-side. The head, and all the head gaskets I have seen for the 601 have three circular water ports, located on this side, between the cylinders and closer to the cylinders. So, no water ports on this side of the engine match up. I'm sure many of you know that in the later model years of this tractor, Ford went away from sleeved cylinders to cast-in cylinders. Not sure what year that change was in, but it was that way in 1963. Also, from what I've seen, the early 2000 Ford head gaskets have the two triangular water ports in the head gasket. So, the first question is: Does anyone know why this change was made? The earlier design (with flow closer to the cylinders) seems better to me, but Ford had to have had a reason for changing. The second question is: What to do? It is possible I have an older head on a 63 block. Should I machine two new ports in the head to match the ports in the block? Machine three new ports in the block to match the head? Do nothing? Note: I rebuilt this engine in the mid 90's, recognized the problem then, and was told it was common for ports not to match up. So, I did nothing. Ever since then it has "run hot" (pre-ignition, loss of power after heating up, etc.) but has never shown hot on the temperature gauge.
I'd very much appreciate any insight you might have. Thanks.
