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MD Vs. SMD vs. 400D Vs, 450D Head

8228 casting # heads for MD tractors had several small changes. Suffix went to DG and some small change was made for every letter higher. There was a serial # break early on but the later 8228 would work with the right head gasket. Serial # break in 1950 changed the heads to 260869R1, They went up to R5. I do know a R5 had a thicker surface above the head gasket than a R4. I never owned a MD below the last serial # break so can't say if the 6 number head will work on a MD below the start of 260899R1 head. 260869 head was used into the D264 in 400 tractors. By the time SMDTA prodution ended 260869R4 was used and on into the 400D tractors. Last head I know of was 277098R1 used on 450D and found on lots of previous tractors. I do know all the 6 digit casting numbers will enterchange and work back to MD engine serial # 14501. Some numbers may be a little off because I'm to lazy to look them up. I can't say for sure what works on MD engines below engine # 14500 because I never had one or worked on one below the #.
 
thanks D, im working on my 53 Super MD and found out that the head was changed to a MD head 8228 DF. and also think it has a Q cast code so i know its not the right head. it does have the right block "Y" cast code however. I was thinking about putting a head from a 400D or 450D on it instead. would you know if the valve sizes are larger on the 400D or 450D or SMD when compared to the MD head?

thanks

Andrew
 
I have the same setup, a '53 SMD, engine's been rebuilt, and the head appears to have been changed, has date codes from, IIRC, '50- I'll have to look to get the casting #
Runs fine, it was an original owner tractor until recently
 
Valves are the same size. My limited personal experience with late MD through 450D is finding more 277098 heads than anything else. Most have a date code later than when tractor production ended.
Only Diesel I have now with a original head is a 3 digit serial # 1954 400D with head 260869R4 and a Z date code.
 
Hi Andrew,

You might try finding a tractor salvage yard with a cross-reference software program. I sure that anyone with Allied Systems' software can check this out for you. Good luck, Greg
 
thanks for everyone that replied. im debating weather or not to change the head on my Super MD to a latter head considering that i have a straight MD head on it now. Is there any better performace / horsepower with a latter head compared to the MD head? would i notice anything? i ask this because the MD has a compression ratio 14.2:1 and the Super MD has 16.5:1, is this beacuse of the head or larger displacement or combo of both?

thanks again

Andrew
 
Andrew, after some checking I still have a lot off your questions unanswered. From what I can find it looks like IH changed the head, pistons and precups at MD engine serial # 14501. The head and precups were the same as a SMD with the bore size of piston the only difference. 4 inch overbore piston for a MD was the same standard piston as a SMD. Can't find a compression ratio listed separate for a MD engine below 14501 or above. But a UD6 power unit has a serial break on pistons and head like a MD (same parts) and shows a 16.8 compression ratio after the serial break, 14.2 before. I don't have a 8228 head to look at, but the only differance there could be with heads used on a SMD that could change the compression ratio, is the size or depth of valve pockets or precup holes or length. With the same valves used I doubt the pockets are deeper. If your head isn't cracked after all this time it must be a good one. Would probably keep it.
 
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