(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

TO-20 Cylinder head

C

Crem

Member
I have a 1952 TO-30 that I acquired that was setting for awhile and I want to grind the valves on it. I have another head from a 1954 TO-30 that the valves and seats probably look a little bit better. Examining these heads I discovered that combustion chamber part is made differently. There is less material removed in the spark plug area on the later head. Does anyone know if this was a later update and would that maybe give it higher compression? I am leaning towards using that head.
IMG_1991.jpg
 
I haven't heard of any compression changes for different years, should be 6.5:1.

Could be one of the heads is from a different engine, like a Z134. Either way it would make minimal difference unless you are running maxed out and needing more!

I would base my decision on which ever one looked best.
 
Are there casting numbers on either one? I can check the Shop Manual this evening, and see if it mentions a change.

For comparison, here's a TO-20 head (spark plug area looks different than either of yours):
40908.jpg
 
On the 1952 head the numbers are Z-129A-402 What I believe is the date code is 52652.
On the 1954 head Z-129A-601. Date 33054.
I was surprised to see a difference in the heads but either one should work. Thanks you guys for any help.
 
(quoted from post at 16:29:47 09/29/16) On the 1952 head the numbers are Z-129A-402 What I believe is the date code is 52652.
On the 1954 head Z-129A-601. Date 33054.
I was surprised to see a difference in the heads but either one should work. Thanks you guys for any help.
Click to expand...

The Z120 head has a larger combustion chamber because those motors had flat top pistons. The Z129 head has a smaller combustion chamber than the Z120 head because the Z129 engines came with dished pistons. The Z129 head will bolt on and work but it will raise your compression.
 
Crem, I checked the Shop Manual and the Parts Book, and I didn't find anything about a serial number break in the TO-30/Z129 head.
 
(quoted from post at 04:34:42 09/29/16) Sorry, the subject should have been TO-30 Cylinder head. I don't know how to edit?
Click to expand...

Sorry...your title threw me off on the post. I thought you was trying to put the head on a TO-20. Anyway...now that I've got it straightened out I can say I have never seen a Z129 head like that one you have. I even went and dug out another Z129 head that I have and took a pic of its combustion chamber.

 
I wonder what the Z-134 head looks like? Maybe in 1954 they started making some changes. Anyway I think that I am going to use the later head.
 
(quoted from post at 02:40:02 09/30/16) I wonder what the Z-134 head looks like? Maybe in 1954 they started making some changes. Anyway I think that I am going to use the later head.
Click to expand...

I have one of those too!...lol. The Z134 head looks quite different that either of the earlier castings.
 
It would be intersecting to see the difference in CC's between the two heads . I have checked Ford 429 and Ford 460 heads when building up a propane powered engine.

Install spark plug,a little grease under a pair of Valve faces ,a little grease on the head where a piece of Plexi Glass with a small hole meets.A syringe or vile marked in some form of units. Add water to combustion chamber through hole in Plexi glass.
 

I actually have CC'd them. I don't have my paper in front of me but from what I measured the Z129 head would raise the compression a full point when installed on a TO-20.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
I Harp & Harp But It Happened Again!!
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
cushman
C
I
Ferguson TO20: Z129 head on Z120?
Replies
3
Views
528
Steve@Advance
S
J
Back to finishing up work on my 550.
Replies
4
Views
633
Jstrenk
J
O
Farmall 450 cylinder head update
Replies
9
Views
1K
oldfarmall
O
B
Case DC Cylinder head issues
Replies
1
Views
627
mEl
mEl
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top