560 head gaskets

Fastway · Jan 15, 2017

I am looking at a 1958 560 that needs head gaskets. I am going to do them myself. How hard of a job is it? I have gas experience but learning about the wonderful world of the diesel.

Highwayman · Jan 15, 2017

It's not a hard job but you should at the very least get the head checked for flatness. Those >engines run good but are A poor design IMO. They don't have enough head bolts leading to warping. Clean and chase threads in block for the head bolts. I have heard that buying and installing studs in place of the bolts is worthwhile. Be fussy on your gasket source and I almost forgot... be sure to install gasket right side up. I will look fine upside down except for covering the oil gallery for the.valves and rockers. Don't ask

Roger Tomfohrde · Jan 15, 2017

Not a hard job just time consuming and the diesel head is a lot heavier than the gas head. Plan on taking the complete gas tank assembly off as it almost is quicker, or split the tractor and pull the front
end away to get clearance. Other wise you still have to loosen every thing around it and lift the assembly up far enough to get the push-rods out.Keeping things clean when re assembling is easier when the tank
is off. I tried the cloths pin trick but it did not work very well for me, always had to lift the tank, especially for the diesel.

Mike in Wisconsin · Jan 15, 2017

Having the head checked out would be a good thing to do but also put in NEW head bolts. When I worked at the IH dealership we never reused
the head bolts on the diesels. The diesels had the same number of bolts as the gas engines and they should have had more.

560 head gaskets

Fastway

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Highwayman

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Roger Tomfohrde

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Mike in Wisconsin

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