Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AustinScott · 03-29-2009, 06:21 PM

SO I'm just finding out I have to drill my block!!! after its already been assembled
Well I ran into a snag today as I was reassembling the 327.
It appears that the Patriot Vortec heads have an Updated water passage between the center 2 cylinders that my older 68 block does not have. I did use the recommend gasket that patriot told me to use (FELPRO 1004)

(BELOW)
PICTURE OF THE BLOCK BETWEEN THE CENTER 2 CYLINDERS ON THE EXHAUST SIDE,
NOTE THE 2 SMALL WATER PASSAGES IN THE CENTER

(BELOW)
HERE IS THE SAME BLOCK WITH A FELPRO 1004 GASKET,
NOTE THE LARGE HOLE IN THE CENTER THAT IS NOT DRILLED IN THE BLOCK

(BELOW)
HERE IS THE PATRIOT CAST IRON VORTEC HEAD,
NOTE THE SINGLE LARGE WATER PASSAGE IN THE CENTER

(BELOW)
HERE IS THE PATRIOT CAST IRON VORTEC HEAD WITH THE FELPRO 1004 GASKET,
NOTE THE 2 SMALLER WATER PASSAGE HOLE THAT ARE NOT DRILLED IN THE HEAD

(BELOW)
HERE IS THE INSTRUCTION SHEET THAT CAME WITH THE GASKETS,
THEY DO NOTE THE NEEDED MOD TO THE BLOCK

HAS ANY ONE RAN INTO THIS?

So Am I screwed and have to drill my block while standing on my head?
ANYONE GOT ADVISE ON DRILLING THE HOLES I'M ABOUT TO EMBARK INTO DRILLING

AustinScott · 03-30-2009, 10:46 AM

NO one running these heads on an older block?

morcey2 · 03-30-2009, 01:11 PM

Haven't used them, but here's a little bit more info:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...cks/index.html

I know it's not much more info than you already have, but I feel for you man!

Matt

shortbed70 · 03-30-2009, 06:12 PM

I have the patriot vortecs on my 72 block but dont remamber any issues like that. Havnt run yet either.

ERASER5 · 03-30-2009, 08:24 PM

It is not just those heads. Felpro recommends that hole to be drill for stock heads too. I found out the same way you did.

My fix: 1. mark the drill hole with a punch.
2. turn the block so that the cylinder bank is upside down.
3. slather the drill bit with axle grease.
4. stick a small retrieval type magnet in an adjacent hole.
5. drill hole slowly
6. wiggle the magnet around
7 squirt brake cleaner in hole (use plenty) to flush stuff out.

I did that 3 years ago. No problems.

PhilaTruck · 03-30-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

It is not just those heads. Felpro recommends that hole to be drill for stock heads too. I found out the same way you did.

2. turn the block so that the cylinder bank is upside down.

I did that 3 years ago. No problems.

That's a great idea, let gravity work for you-

AustinScott · 03-30-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

It is not just those heads. Felpro recommends that hole to be drill for stock heads too. I found out the same way you did.

My fix: 1. mark the drill hole with a punch.
2. turn the block so that the cylinder bank is upside down.
3. slather the drill bit with axle grease.
4. stick a small retrieval type magnet in an adjacent hole.
5. drill hole slowly
6. wiggle the magnet around
7 squirt brake cleaner in hole (use plenty) to flush stuff out.

I did that 3 years ago. No problems.

Thanks for the info.. this makes it easier for me to drill my block, I'll be sure to post the process for future reference.
Truly I was hoping for a miracle that I was mistaken and didn't have to drill my newly assembled short block.
Owell, as much as I have read into this, and got from all you guys/gals.. this isnt that big O-deal if done with caution.

Thanks All!

**Captainfab** · 03-30-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

It is not just those heads. Felpro recommends that hole to be drill for stock heads too. I found out the same way you did.

My fix: 1. mark the drill hole with a punch.
2. turn the block so that the cylinder bank is upside down.
3. slather the drill bit with axle grease.
4. stick a small retrieval type magnet in an adjacent hole.
5. drill hole slowly
6. wiggle the magnet around
7 squirt brake cleaner in hole (use plenty) to flush stuff out.

I did that 3 years ago. No problems.

Great instructions. Do you happen to have a link or something to this info from Felpro? Is this hole the one for the thermostat bypass?

ERASER5 · 04-01-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Great instructions. Do you happen to have a link or something to this info from Felpro? Is this hole the one for the thermostat bypass?

It was in the head gasket wrapper. It is suppose to give better cooling to the middle of the head where the 2 exhaust ports are close together.

Sport/Truck · 03-31-2009, 06:49 AM

If you don't want to turn your block upside down you can use clear packing tape over everything. Then just vacuum it up before you remove the tape.
s/t

swb85 · 03-31-2009, 09:53 AM

Never noticed that before. My '69 block doesn't have that hole either. I'm running factory vortec heads and the water passage in the heads is really big to grab coolant from those two smaller holes. See:

'69 block, also missing large coolant passage between 3 & 5

factory 906 vortec heads

Surprised the patriot vortec heads don't use the same water jacket pattern as the factory heads to avoid issues like this.......

**Captainfab** · 04-01-2009, 12:15 AM

Does anyone know what year the blocks began having that extra coolant hole? Of course the Vortecs did, but what about the '88-'95 one piece blocks. Also has anyone drilled their Vortec heads for the thermostat bypass passage. Sorry for the hijack Austin Scott.

70rs/ss · 05-11-2009, 02:35 PM

Cool, good info to know, now we can check before assembling any engines in the future. Looks like you did an excellent job of protecting the engine!

orgalmeister · 05-11-2009, 05:56 PM

Great!!!! Now i need to buy stock in duck tape

Alex1 · 05-11-2009, 07:10 PM

Good stuff. I wouldn't worry about anything!

03-29-2009, 06:21 PM	#1
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( SO I'm just finding out I have to drill my block!!! after its already been assembled Well I ran into a snag today as I was reassembling the 327. It appears that the Patriot Vortec heads have an Updated water passage between the center 2 cylinders that my older 68 block does not have. I did use the recommend gasket that patriot told me to use (FELPRO 1004) (BELOW) PICTURE OF THE BLOCK BETWEEN THE CENTER 2 CYLINDERS ON THE EXHAUST SIDE, NOTE THE 2 SMALL WATER PASSAGES IN THE CENTER (BELOW) HERE IS THE SAME BLOCK WITH A FELPRO 1004 GASKET, NOTE THE LARGE HOLE IN THE CENTER THAT IS NOT DRILLED IN THE BLOCK (BELOW) HERE IS THE PATRIOT CAST IRON VORTEC HEAD, NOTE THE SINGLE LARGE WATER PASSAGE IN THE CENTER (BELOW) HERE IS THE PATRIOT CAST IRON VORTEC HEAD WITH THE FELPRO 1004 GASKET, NOTE THE 2 SMALLER WATER PASSAGE HOLE THAT ARE NOT DRILLED IN THE HEAD (BELOW) HERE IS THE INSTRUCTION SHEET THAT CAME WITH THE GASKETS, THEY DO NOTE THE NEEDED MOD TO THE BLOCK HAS ANY ONE RAN INTO THIS? So Am I screwed and have to drill my block while standing on my head? ANYONE GOT ADVISE ON DRILLING THE HOLES I'M ABOUT TO EMBARK INTO DRILLING Last edited by AustinScott; 03-29-2009 at 10:34 PM.

03-30-2009, 10:46 AM	#2
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( NO one running these heads on an older block?

03-30-2009, 01:11 PM	#3
morcey2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central utah, UT Posts: 105	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( Haven't used them, but here's a little bit more info: http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...cks/index.html I know it's not much more info than you already have, but I feel for you man! Matt

03-30-2009, 06:12 PM	#4
shortbed70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney TX Posts: 4,512	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( I have the patriot vortecs on my 72 block but dont remamber any issues like that. Havnt run yet either. __________________ Troy 1965 Chevy Bagged,361 sbc,voodoo cam,1.5 full roller rockers,patriot 185cc vortec heads 2.02-1.60,vortec weiand polished intake,demon carb my truckhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332884 Big Red Dog build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=572274

03-30-2009, 08:24 PM	#5
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( It is not just those heads. Felpro recommends that hole to be drill for stock heads too. I found out the same way you did. My fix: 1. mark the drill hole with a punch. 2. turn the block so that the cylinder bank is upside down. 3. slather the drill bit with axle grease. 4. stick a small retrieval type magnet in an adjacent hole. 5. drill hole slowly 6. wiggle the magnet around 7 squirt brake cleaner in hole (use plenty) to flush stuff out. I did that 3 years ago. No problems. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

03-31-2009, 06:49 AM	#10
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( If you don't want to turn your block upside down you can use clear packing tape over everything. Then just vacuum it up before you remove the tape. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

03-31-2009, 09:53 AM	#11
swb85 On a budget like Fred Sanford Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 2,031	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( Never noticed that before. My '69 block doesn't have that hole either. I'm running factory vortec heads and the water passage in the heads is really big to grab coolant from those two smaller holes. See: '69 block, also missing large coolant passage between 3 & 5 factory 906 vortec heads Surprised the patriot vortec heads don't use the same water jacket pattern as the factory heads to avoid issues like this....... __________________ '85 Silverado swb: 383 stroker, 10.5:1, vortec heads, 232/238 roller cam, RPM air gap, performer 750 carb, stainless longtubes, 3" duals/super 44's, T56/4.11 383ci build / exterior refresh thread '98 Camaro z28: 370ci twin turbo 370ci build '01 Tahoe LT 4x4: 5.3, longtubes/ory, magnaflow duals, custom tune....wife's DD Last edited by swb85; 03-31-2009 at 09:54 AM.

04-01-2009, 12:15 AM	#12
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,254	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( Does anyone know what year the blocks began having that extra coolant hole? Of course the Vortecs did, but what about the '88-'95 one piece blocks. Also has anyone drilled their Vortec heads for the thermostat bypass passage. Sorry for the hijack Austin Scott. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

05-11-2009, 02:35 PM	#13
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( Cool, good info to know, now we can check before assembling any engines in the future. Looks like you did an excellent job of protecting the engine!

05-11-2009, 05:56 PM	#14
orgalmeister Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 291	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( Great!!!! Now i need to buy stock in duck tape __________________ '56 truck (the never ending project) '06 Z/71 loaded (daily driver) '07 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (wife's driver) Gone: 72 SB, 67 CST, 57 BBW, 47 Panel streetrod,

05-11-2009, 07:10 PM	#15
Alex1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ottawa Ontario Canada Posts: 1,156	Re: Patriot Vortec Heads & older Blocks :( Good stuff. I wouldn't worry about anything!

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