Why do the head gaskets I just bought have little slits in the water jackets compared to the block water jackets? Can I enlarge the opening in the new gasket to match the block and heads without any problems? This is a 78 440.

2nd pic

because they do , that's the way they have been for a couple decades , why ?

Why have water jackets if your going to restrict them with gaskets. That's defeating the purpose.

wtucker you might go to www.moparchat.com & scroll down to & click on circle track chat & peruse Sanborns cooling mods that are in a sticky at the top of the page. It'll answer your Q's. It's SB orientated but can be easiely adapted to BB's as well. You will be able to add holes to the block/gasket & plug ones that are defeating the purpose. top notch material!