Can I cut the headgasket to increase cooling capacity?

[Rustytinhorn]

I got a new cometic head gasket for my '85 250r.
The cooling port cutouts on the headgasket are smaller than the port openings on the cylinder jug and head. Can i cut out the port openings on the headgasket to match the size of those on the jug. I'm thinking it would increase the coolant flow and maybe run cooler. Has anyone ever done this before?
My only concern was that maybe the reason the holes on the gasket where so small towards the rear, was becuase thats where the inlet hose is and that maybe it would force the coolant aroud the entire jug more instead of taking the shortest path between the two hoses and only cooling half the head.
Any input would be nice.
Also has anyone run the cometic headgasket compared to oem? Does oem have full sized cutouts, or only partial like cometic?
THANKS

[NINJA]

They are the same size if I remember correctly. They do restrict flow for a reason though. If your coolant circulates too fast you could run into overheating issues.

[3Razors]

Leave it the way it is, Honda designed it that way for proper flow.

[jason85atc250r]

i have a O ring cool head on my trx250r and it works fine. theres no gasket so the holes are wide open. i have not had any overheating problems.

i was thinking of doing the same thing to my 85 atc250r when i have to rebiuld it next time.

[edog]

Keep it that way.

[Yamahondaman]

They did that to force more flow towards the HOT Exhaust Side.. Run Leaded High Octain Gas and it will cool it some

[Rustytinhorn]

Thanks for the replies. That was my original thought, but I wanted some more input on it just to be safe.