Different Head Gaskets for US & Canadian engines?

[D25_Owner]

I need a head gasket for my D25. The engine is a 237 and I don't think it's original to my car. Fel-Pro has two different(?) head gaskets for the same engine (big block flathead) #7256C for US & #7688C for Canadian built. Since I'm not sure where my engine was built, I don't know which gasket to get. Does anyone know the difference? Thanks.

Edited November 23, 2009 by D25_Owner

[Norm's Coupe]

The Canadian head gasket is the one that has the extra little nub hole sticking out in the front of the head for a bolt to go through. The US engine is flat all the way across the front.

[D25_Owner]

Thanks Norm! Now I know my engine is Canadian and or '51 or newer

Edited November 25, 2009 by D25_Owner

[Tony WestOZ]

I thought the little bump on the front became standard on all engines about 51 with the change in water pumps.

Its the water by-pass passage for the water pump.

[RobertKB]

I thought the little bump on the front became standard on all engines about 51 with the change in water pumps.

Its the water by-pass passage for the water pump.

You are correct. This is another indication this engine is not original to the his car and is likely a Canadian '53 Plymouth long block engine as mentioned in another post.

[Don Coatney]

The Canadian head gasket is the one that has the extra little nub hole sticking out in the front of the head for a bolt to go through. The US engine is flat all the way across the front.

That is a new one for me. I have never heard that before. Where did you find this information?

[D25_Owner]

Any one know if the short-block (23") starter and generator will bolt/work on the long-block engine? Thanks

[greg g]

I believe they are the same parts.

[Norm's Coupe]

That is a new one for me. I have never heard that before. Where did you find this information?

To be honest Don, I forgot where I got that information. Got that back in 1998 when I was buying parts to rebuild my engine. At that time I was still a member of the the POC, so it could have come from someone there. But.......I really think I read it in the service manual or the people at Gasket City who specializes in old car gaskets gave me that information. Evidently Robert has the same information about the difference being either a Canadian engine or US engine.

[RobertKB]

I believe all engines, US and Canadian, had the slight bulge at the front after 1950 or 1951. It is not a bolt hole as can be seen in the pictures as it is not threaded. It is for the internal bypass for the thermostat. A newer style headgasket with the bulge and bypass hole will fit the older engines as the bolt pattern is identical but not vice-versa as there is then no hole for the bypass.

[55 Fargo]

I believe all engines, US and Canadian, had the slight bulge at the front after 1950 or 1951. It is not a bolt hole as can be seen in the pictures as it is not threaded. It is for the internal bypass for the thermostat. A newer style headgasket with the bulge and bypass hole will fit the older engines as the bolt pattern is identical but not vice-versa as there is then no hole for the bypass.

Exactly Robert, in Canada all Chrysler L Head 6s, were the same block,as our smaller market could not justify in the Chrsyler corp building 2 different blocks in this country (Canada), regardless of the displacement differences, this block is identical to the US made 25 inch block used for 251 and 265 engines.

The bulge on the head is the 50 or 51 and later newly designed block featuring an internal water pump by-pass system, nothing more nothing less. This has been an interesting thread on the reason for the different head casting......Fred ps if you have a 237, you could make it into a 251 by boring the cyls to accomadate the pistons, then change to right connecting rods, and maybe the crank, and instant 251 engine.................Fred

[D25_Owner]

The bore is the same on the 237,251 & 265 @ 3.438".

So, a 251 crank (4.5" stroke) would make a 237 a 251.

A 265 crank (4.75" stroke) would make it a 265. Yes?

Edited November 25, 2009 by D25_Owner

[PatS....]

This gasket kit:

Contains this type of gasket with the hole for the bypass...the little "bump" at the front, ahead of the line of head bolts:

The bypass ho;e is the furthest right hole on the above gasket...some have it and some do not. If you have that hole in your block (see below for comparison engines), the above gasket is the one you need. If you do not have that hole you need the other part number you quoted.

The Gasket WITH the hole will work on a non by-pass engine if you trim half of the "bump" off:

The top engine here doesn't have the bypass, the bottom engine does have the bypass. These are both long block Canadian 251 blocks

Hope this helps...