Hot Rods Early 59A heads on a 8BA Flathead-Steam hole questions?

So I have done some reading on this topic using the search function and there are several threads on it, however the general consensus is to drill and tap the steam holes for a 3/8 threaded plug on later 8BA when using early heads.

I have set of nice original Edelbrock center water neck aluminum heads for a 59A I want to use on my 296ci Flathead, the problem is it is already ***embled and I don't want to chance getting any metal shavings from drilling and tapping into my fresh motor.

My questions is can you use a small freeze plug instead of drilling and tapping?

Anyone have a picture of exactly which steam holes need to be plugged?

Thanks for the help!

 

Two plugs are required for each back, one on the deck and the other on the face, at the top of the waterpump mount. Here they are installed on a French block.


And here's the comparable deck hole to be plugged in an 8BA block -- the one closest to the front.


With the front cylinders and valves covered with duct tape, and the intake manifold in place drilling and tapping can be done without getting swarf into any critical area; any tiny bits that fall into the block will be in the cooling system and easily discharged. And you can minimize this by greasing the tips of the drill bit and the tap to keep the bits from falling inside.

 

I've been using small (I think 1/2") cup plugs for years and have never had a problem.

 

I need to do this too on my french block. Didn't realize the front one need it too.

 

Can't you leave the holes in the water pump surface alone if using the late pumps?

 

That's what I was thinking, I have some Drake pumps that have the holes. May have to plug the hole if your using early pumps?

 

Definitely plug the pump surface for use with early pumps, but most guys like the later pumps so they can fit a later distributor in there. I don't own any late blocks, so I don't mess with this stuff. I can see the reason guys want to use the better looking early heads on their later blocks though.

 

the pullys on the late pumps wont line up with any of the early hardware

 

Yep, that way they keep everything late model and just switch the early heads. If you went with early pumps you'd also need to do early crank pulley, generator mount (which may give you fits aligning it to a late manifold), distributor and plate, and early cam.

 

Read all the info here:
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how to install early heads on an 8ba
Keep in mind that you will have to find a new way to clamp your distributor. I used a 1/4 in. spacer and a small 1/4-20 socket head cap screw. The spacer controls the "mesh" of the cam and distributer gear. Because I used 8RT water pumps, i didn't have to plug any water pump holes. I used a socket head cap screw instead of a set screw so that there is no way the screw can fall into the timing cover. Let me know if you want one of the brackets (red) that relocates the coil so at to give your heads the "uncluttered and clean" look.

 

Thanks for all the information guys! Now I understand exactly what I need to do.