I was finally pulling apart my engine this weekend to start working on it. I noticed that the head gasket (I believe it was a felpro) that I had installed many years ago had two circular impression marks on it. When I looked at the head I saw water passage holes in those spots and saw them on the block as well. One was at the front of the block by cylinder 1, the other was between cylinders 3 & 4.

Are these supposed to be blocked by the gasket or do i need to make sure the gasket has holes for these passages when I put it back together?

Also, noticed inside the water passages there is a metal rod that snakes its way through the head. What is this for?

_________________
67 Barracuda
Eric

I think the metal rod is left over from casting - get it out if you can. See this thread for the head gasket blocking the coolant holes.

Danny