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And it's having a small heating issue. It is a 521 cu in using an Eagle stroker kit with 1968 cast iron heads on a 1974 block. I got an engine gasket kit for free but it turns out that it was for a newer fuel injected motor. My question is are the head gaskets interchangeable ? I was told that they are not but comparing them side by side I don't see any obvious differences. The motor is in a 1989 Crown Victoria station wagon, 19"x34" aluminum radiator with twin electric fans, 160deg thermostat, factory serpentine belt setup off of a 1995 with the 95 style water pump . Headers, dual 450cfm carbs on a tunnel ram intake, timing 11btd. I'm trying to determine if it's a head gasket issue or if I need to look elsewhere.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions

UPDATE : It appears that I have an airflow through the radiator issue. The car runs 190 going down the highway at 65mph and heats back up to 210 (was 230) when cruising at low speed. I found that there was a factory installed block off that was closing a 1/4 of the grille opening. I also am going to look at putting a shroud on the radiator even though the fans I have show to mount them directly to the radiator as I have them.

Welcome.

That's an unusual combo.

Does it overheat while idling? Overheat while cruising? All the time? Add some details and move your question to the "Engine Tech" section and you"ll get better response.

Thanks for the tip Maverick

Make sure your water pump is turning the right direction, some serp turn reverse rotation.

Wouldn't head gaskets installed backwards cause a blockage also ?

IDT-572 wrote:Make sure your water pump is turning the right direction, some serp turn reverse rotation.

The head gaskets are interchangeable with earlier models however, one of those gaskets will appear backwards and up-side down when it is actually installed correctly.

How hot do you call hot? And when does it heat up ?