I am replacing the head and all intake gaskets on my 98 with the 3.8 engine, and the water openings on the new head gaskets are just small holes, is this correct? Worked acft maintenance in the USAF an overhaul acft props for the past 15 yrs, so modifying any OEM parts are definitely not in my SOP, sorry - Standard Operating Procedures. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

you shouldn't need to be modifying the gaskets. I know whenever I'm doing a intake or head job, I use the good felpro gaskets you can get at any chain store. they are metal and not the plastic ones like come factory. but there are 2 versions, you gotta ask for the better ones.

 

I purchased a head gasket set from O'Reillys an it is FelPro

 

cool, you should be good to go without modifying anything. ive just always used the upgraded sets from felpro that are metal /rubber on the intake manifold. the head gaskets from felpro ive never noticed any difference. but I will say all the head jobs or intake jobs ive never had to modify any felpro gaskets and have yet to have any issues
This may sound silly but I have seen it happen, just be sure to put the head gaskets right side up