[DAVID GAGNARD]

O-K, just went out and checked the block AGAIN......looking at the second picture down, there is a small hole,probably 3/16ths on each end of the block at the top(near the lifter galley), I'm assuming these are the "steam holes" that the bulletin is refering too???????hopefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If so, then I'm o-k as the AFR heads do have corresponding holes in the heads that lead to the water jacket......


Also, looking at the same picture, you will see 3 holes in a triangular shape around each head bolt hole,these are water jacket holes and when looking into them with a flashlight, you can see the light from the any of the holes as they are connected by a large passageway.......should flow more water thru the block.....

I also checked my OEM 1969 302 block....it only has one water jacket hole by each head bolt hole, these holes are to the center of the block, so the BOSS 302 block has 12 more water jacket holes leading from the block to the head than a standard production block!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW: a few things they DO NOT tell you when ordering/buying this block is it uses 351-W size main cap bolts and your 302 windage tray bolts will not work on this block if using a windage tray, SUMMIT/JEGS sells the four studs you need for the paltry sum of $45.00!!!!!!!!!! also, the water pump bolts that go into the block are the larger 351-W bolts, so your 302 stuff doesn't fit there either.....

When I went to order a block, I tried to get the "older" A-4 block, it is discontinued and no longer avaliable and no one had any left in stock, everyone told me the BOSS 302 block is a DIRECT replacement 302 block, not quite true as I found out......NO mention of any kind on the appropriate head gasket either, so now I've got a nice new set of Fel Pro ($75.00) heads gaskets I can't use.........

All in all, I do like the block, when put along side a factory block, there is NO comparison, the new block is also approx. 30 pounds heavier... the front and rear surfaces are machined on this block as compared to "cast" on a factory block.....when looking at the amount of machining this block has, I can see why it costs what it does!!!!!!!!!

David