SC Head Gaskets vs. other 3.8s

matt59

Registered User
Simple Queation: What's the difference in Stock SC H/Gs as opposed to other Ford 3.8 engines. The P/N very which make It appears there are differences.
anyone know?
 
The first picture below is a 89-95 NA head. The second is a 99+ Splitport head (which has the same coolant passage layout as the 89-95 SC and 96-98 NA heads). Notice the difference in the coolant passages.

-Rod
 

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Ok, I can see why the others won't work. Now my question is how come the N/A head looks like it flows more coolant more evenly around the cylinders?
Maybe I'm not seen the pictures as I should...

Thanks for the Info :)
 
While that may be true, all of those extra coolant ports reduce headgasket retention significantly.

-Rod
 
Keep in mind, coolant evenly around heads is restricted by the gaskets. If you see the gaskets they block the various ports in a staggered way to help keep a constant coolant pressure through the system to keep things circulating.
 
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