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Message started by verslagen1 on 12/27/11 at 13:29:40

Title: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/27/11 at 13:29:40

quick question for those in the know.

my dad's got one and it blew a head gasket.
the gasket he got came with no instructions
grey gasket material facing, multilayer with foil in between. and compression piping around the cylinders.

do you coat with sealant?

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 12/27/11 at 14:44:20

Most composition gaskets such as you described require no sealers. Ones that do usually include specific directions on which product to use or include that product with the gasket. Even most of the all metal multi-layer gaskets available now use no sealer.

I think you would be safe installing it as is, with no sealer. Hard to say for sure without seeing the gasket, though.

Does the gasket manufacturer have a website where you could check?
Or maybe a tech line number to call? That would be the only other things I can think of to find out. 8-)

HTH.

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/27/11 at 17:45:36

while waiting I searched the net, found an antique tractor forum.
they said to coat it with copper coat.

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 12/27/11 at 17:57:49

That's what we used to use on the early versions of composition head gaskets. I don't believe it would hurt to use it.

What did you mean by compression piping? Is it the silicone type (usually red) surrounding the cylinders & various passages between the block & head? Or is it the raised metal type?

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/27/11 at 18:12:32

raised metal type... didn't know how to describe it.

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 12/27/11 at 19:44:39

Then yes, I would defintely feel comfortable using copper coat. I prefer the spray kind for head gaskets.

It's kind of funny, the man I worked for learning the mechanic trade 44 years ago prefered copper coat. Not many things stand the test of time.

He also prefered Champion spark plugs. He used to tell me "AC builds plugs for GM, Autolite for Ford, & Champion makes plugs for the rest of the world."

He liked to use what was then called "Shalers' Rislone" for engines with noisy lifters. It usually worked, too.

I think the most important thing he ever told me, and something that has served me well, was " An engine doesn't know whose name is on it, or how many cylinders it has. It will run if it has fuel,air,compression, & a spark at the right time."
So far I've worked on everything from singles all the way to a Jag V-12.

Strange how one little thing can trigger those old memories. 8-)

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by Serowbot on 12/27/11 at 21:16:56

Torque prolley makes the seal,... but copper seal won't hurt, if you don't plan on doin' it again anytime soon...

Honestly,... I'm an idiot, and I don't know... ;D...

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/27/11 at 23:36:12

this is an old style beauty
iron flat head, just bolts and sparkplugs.
iron block is structural, no frame.

the bolts don't stretch, the gasket compresses
and you have to retorque it after the 1st use.

20 hp... 84 ft.lbs of torque at 1500 rpm!

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by John_D FSO on 12/27/11 at 23:57:50

352631302F2224262D72430 wrote:

Sounds like Dad's old Farmall C's. The engine and transmission tube are the whole framework. They do have overhead valves, but about the same horsepower/torque numbers I think. All I know is if you get a good one, they can pull a ridiculous load! Gotta love the old iron. :)

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by Grand Strand on 12/28/11 at 16:05:19

While I’m certainly on expert on the flat heads, I have worked on a few. In my experience either way will work. I have used a sealer but in general I have grown to like “clean and dry” for most gaskets. Check block and head for being flat and clean the threads and watch your torques.

I saw something several years ago about county fair event where farmers would “race” their old tractors. It is amazing how slow that this engine will run. The slowest one wins by being the last one to cross the finish line without killing the engine. Kind-a-neat.

;) :D :)

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by thumperclone on 12/28/11 at 16:11:05

research the tighting pattern...
and of course the torque..

dad had an old farm all, was home on leave and I ran it outta diesel..

pita re prime

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by built2last66 on 12/29/11 at 07:39:45

I did a bit of research on it out of curiosity, and found that if you do use a seal use copper, but from what I read it wasn't necessary... but that was just from farmers on several forums.. eh heh... :D

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by Boofer on 12/29/11 at 17:34:43

Vers, I've always used copper spray on older engines. It gives me a little extra peace of mind for metal gaskets with raised sealing surfaces. I refurbished an Allis Chalmers 1939 B model a couple of years ago...not flat head but 1940 model. It is amazing, but NAPA keeps parts available for most old tractors. I sold it to a friend who said I had it good except for one valve a little too tight. Those old motors had very low compression and would run with very primitive "mechanicing". Many tractors have stressed engine design and Rislone is available at some WalMarts. It does help pump up collapsed lifters. Used it on a Pontiac 4.9 liter (301 cu in) with every oil change after lifter leaked down. Tell your dad Boofer says "hey". :)

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/29/11 at 17:48:48

thanks for all the advice.

what worried me the most was the wet bolt holes as this is why we're putting in a new one anyway.

the 'kid' that runs it knows it has a problem but would run it till it over heated then quit for the day. same dumb a$$ that lost the keys too.

Yet they all go 'oh no, dad is working on the tractor again' cause it takes him a couple of weeks to fix whatever they've busted on it or just general maintenance.

boofer, what rebuild another one? ;D

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by Boofer on 12/30/11 at 15:20:15

Vers, I think the postage would be too much for your dad, but the labor would be free. Those old engines have the same attributes as the Savage...simplicity. Just think of all the food raised with those less-than-twenty hp tractors. And in my childhood those without mules borrowed the community tractor to break their gardens. :)

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/30/11 at 19:28:19

Grandma hailed out of Natchez Ms.

Her family owned the Hawthorne plantation.

Very gracious people. Out of the blue, I roll up and knock on the door just to ask if they minded me taking a few picts of the house and grounds. And they gave me a tour of the house.

Now if a big box show's up on your doorstep... ;D

Title: Re: ford flat head tractor head gasket question
Post by Boofer on 01/04/12 at 08:10:04

584B5C5D424F494B401F2E0 wrote:

There WAS this one guy in a red suit asking to borrow some hunter orange to wear while here in Mississippi. ;D