W-12 head gasket

Fritz Maurer

Well-known Member
I bought a gasket set from Rice Equipment with a strange looking head gasket. Just a thick piece of paper, no fire rings or ferrules. I realize this is not a high compression motor, also our modern technology papers and plastics. But we want to plant with this thing,maybe 50 acres or so. Will this gasket hold up or should I go get a real one? Thanks, Fritz
 
If that is the gasket that Gordon sent you, it is the correct one.

He grew up working on the F-12/14 engines. He is the only one I have ever heard mention the "Lite" crank that was in my early W-12!
 
That gasket is a non clad type. It's a fiber gasket. I just went through the same thing with my f14 they actually seal better and less likely to leak.putt the fiber gasket on torque it get it hot and re torque it. Don't put any sealant on it or rtv. Trust me rice equipment is great they told me that I wouldn't have any problems and I didn't.
 
HE said it was the right one, and I believed him, but everyone here said it was the wrong one, and it would leak, and I didn't take a chance and use it. This was in like 2000 or so.
 
I deal with Frank not Gordon, Gordon does not work at Rice equip any more he sold the business to Frank and Joe Rice Gordons son. Frank and I deal back and forth daily and I do a lot of work for Frank. He knows what he is doing there and that head gasket material has been around for several years and several 1000s of tractors have been repaired with those type of material gaskets. They are not Chinese made and he would not mislead you on your project. Frank and I and others work together and discuss things or repairs and he has been involved with Rice Equip back when he was a young man and Gordon still had a dealership so this is not his first rodeo. Give him some credit for helping you as you wont find that gasket at your local Walmart or Tractor Supply store. Come on guys why do you get out here and second guess him or any of us that try and help with your projects. Without him or the rest of us there would not be a parts supply for any pre 39 tractor.
 
I heard recently that Gordon's son, Joe, had passed.

Last fall, Frank told me that Gordon sometimes comes around and helps out. Regardless, if whoever you are dealing with at Rice Equipment gives you advice, I would follow it and use the gasket they recommend.
 
If your talking about the flexible fiber gasket, allof my fseries have that installed. Much superior to the metal gaskets. No weeps no leaks.
 
I wasn't making a complaint against Frank OR his product.I simply had never seen anything like that before. I was guessing that maybe since half of these tractors are on parade duty , the manufacturer could get away with a little lighter gasket. We got 1500.00 in ball bearings in the rear end,we're gonna run this thing hard. Even if it let go, I wouldn't get back on this site and start m f-ing Frank, I love that guy (especially when you get him talking about UPS damage!) You are absolutely right about Rice Equip.
 
I don't think I was second guessing or questioning Any of the Rices at all. Nor was I back in 2000 when I posted some pics of the work on my 14. I had the gasket set sitting out and made some pics of it and posted, and in fact I am pretty sure I was pleased with the quality over all. Several people, including some of the "top posters" back then, told me not to use that gasket, that it wouldn't torque down right, and would leak. So I didn't chance it and used a regular type head gasket.

Ill go as far as to say that 90% of the parts I had to buy for my 14 came from Rice.
 
I am personal friends with Gordon, and Frank, and Joe when he was still alive. I live about 40 minutes from them, and visit every once in awhile. The Rice equipment folks have FORGOTTEN more about the Pre-1939 tractors that most on this board will ever learn. The things that I know came from years of turning a wrench, listening to people like Gordon, Frank, Dwayne Hansford, Tom Underwood, Pappy Vance (when he was still alive) and a lot from IHC documents and the Wisconsin archives. Sometimes my memory doesn't serve me as well as it used to, but I state that right up front.

Rusticredacres is SPOT ON (BTW, he knows his stuff as well). There are a few others, but if I list them, people's knickers will really get knotted.

I have to admit, that sometimes I hesitate posting here on YT, and I know there are a few of the members here that think me to be a PITA. However, I also know that a lot of times that the information posted here is male bovine fecal matter. Urban legend and wives tales from shade tree mechanics and weekend warriors. There is also some darn good info posted........problem is, newer members can't separate the manure spreaders from those who are running a grain drill.

So, this post may get me blacklisted here, and in some people's minds I already am. Not sure I care. Those on this site that know what they are talking about know WHAT I am talking about. All other needs not apply. My opinion, your choice.
 

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