Head Gaskets

[Nick]

Ive finally found what was causing my 54 major to run like a bag of nails, the valves and seats are knackered. This engine was the first one I had ever touched when i had the engine apart before, so I didnt bother looking at the head, i just did the bottom end . Yeah, and now i wish i had! Im sending it off to have new valve seats and a skim this week.

However Im going to need a head gasket, and ive heard horror stories from some people about the quality of some, i did in all fairness have a slight weep on mine before, does anyone know how thick the original ones were?

I see agriline list a copper one, is this the best option?

[BearCreek Majors]

Hi Nick, I have had a few issues with Agriline parts, but they are generally eager to fix the problems at their cost. And I did have a leaking head gasket on my Super major, but after pulling the head and laying a straight edge across the deck, I didn’t need feeler gauges to see how bad it was. And yes you get what you pay for. With that said I have been using the Agriline composition head gaskets in my tractors with no problems and plan on continuing to do so. With the advancements in gasket construction over the last 50 years, even the lesser quality gaskets are probably still superior to the factory gaskets Ford was using in the 50’s& 60’s.

Pat

[Nick]

Well at least this time I will know its not the head which is causing it to leak (if it does). I will buy a composite head gasket set and see what its like when I get it. Also, when I get it all back together I will video it, and post it, because I know you all love that

[Fixersteve]

Hi nick, I fitted an Agriline composite headgasket when I rebuilt my super major engine and not had any problems with it.
All the best
Steve

[Nick]

Just got the head back, ive lapped the valves in so im ready to assemble the head. Am i correct in saying that the four spacers go under the exhaust valves, and have the rotator caps on them, and the inlet valves dont have spacers and no rotator caps? (I only have four spacers and rotator caps)

Also the valve springs go in with the tighter packed coils at the bottom touching the head?

[thestig246]

yes spot on mate, the rotor caps on your exhasust valves. not sure of the valve spacing but should all be in the book if you have one

dan

[Nick]

Got me ass in gear and got it all back together, no water leaks from the head gasket which is a good sign! I was adjusting the valves and noticed one of the locking adjusters on the rocker arm was a bit crooked, tried undoing it, and it snapped very easily! Luckily however I rifled through my spare nuts and bolts box, and found a bolt the same thread, so I machined it down to be exactly the same as the old one (once id got it out of the rocker arm), and it fitted just fine! Only thing is it has a 9/16 hex head not a slot head, but no one is perfect!

I primed the diesel system which I also completely overhauled along with the steering box whilst the tank was off, and it fired up first go, and runs absolutely perfectly!

As promised I did make a video of it, but the first two minutes of it is me doing injector pipes up (i forgot how long the threads are) so its a bit boring, but nevertheless im very pleased

[BearCreek Majors]

Great news Nick, can't waight to see the video!

Pat