Well here’s what I found so far, 48 flat head Edmunds 52 era heads. Found a small water drip at driver corner of head. Isolated it between head and block just a slight leak. Decided to pull head. I could tell on copper Best Gasket (speedway) #1550 with added copper coat upon installation. I could see the darkness on copper of leak. Head and gasket latterly just came off easy. I laid every thing out on bench itching my head. Looking for why. Then bang the light came on. The water jack holes were really reduced in size on copper gasket very restrictive. Thinking this right here could be lots of my wonders and whys. I’ve purchased fel-pro #7548 since the water passages are matched to block. Now to pull passenger side and give it a run. I just can’t believe I did not catch this on build. I’ve taken photos of gaskets and head and block to give reference. I’ll give a heads up further down the road folks.
Not a flathead guy but I don’t see the size of the gasket holes as a factor, they match the size of the holes in your Edmunds heads as well as factory heads. I’d be checking block and head flatness as well as the integrity of the stud threads.
I prefer any COPPER gasket over a “fiber” gasket because if u DON’T use any sealant or spray, the gasket can be reused even on another block. As long as the block and head are “flat” I have reused the gasket over and over many times when I had three engines all operable at the same time. Flatheads Forever!!
Here’s some better photos so you’ll understand and understand flow restriction. I’ve got a twenty degree warmer running built motor. Thinking this could be the ticket. Look closely you can see the whitish rings around gasket reducing flow to block to head note reduced in these areas and not a hole creates hot spots.
The Jalopy Journal
