John Deere A - blown head gasket? (video)

My 1950 styled A has had leaky gaskets for a few years (when warming up it puff smoke around the exhaust manifold) but recently I've noticed a sharp hiss sound on compression and commensurate minor smoke. I wonder if I have a blown head gasket? It basically runs OK. I just topped off the oil and what dribbled out didn't look milky. I've not yet checked to coolant for oil in it.
If it is the head gasket, how complicated is this job? It doesn't look too bad.

I've embedded a video and maybe you can hear the sound and see the smoke.

https://youtu.be/FUD9dOvmXdk
Untitled URL Link
 

Open the Pet-Cocks and I bet you will see that the clutch-side cylinder is not firing very often at Idle (Common)..and is the reason that plug will foul if idled too long..

How is it when you have a GOOD LOAD on it..?

It sounds normal to me on your video..

Ron.
 
My 51 sounds about like that. They always miss a little with no load. Those things need to be worked run hard and hot. You will get some fouling if you only use them for light work.
 
For light work with the late A, I found it best to use a hot plug. Those "will fit" mid range plugs just don't cut it.
 
I can see what you refer to, but could not determine the exact source of the smoke and hiss from the video.

I think feeling or spraying something on there would tell.

I do see the black in the area of the cyl head gasket.
 
If you have antifreeze in it, if it is leaking somewhere it should not you will see it and smell it. Antifreeze will find the leaks !
You may just have a leaking exhaust gasket ?
 
I think you are right about the exhaust gasket leaking. What is puzzling is that the sound changed just recently- maybe the leak got worse.

What is wrong with running antifreeze?
 
Nothing is wrong with running antifreeze ! I much prefer it to having cracked heads and blocks. I'm in Ohio and have seen too many a busted up 2 cyl.
Just if you had water only in it you would not be able to see or smell the leak. Antifreeze seeps out the littlest of cracks. And has a sweet smell when burning also a white smoke.
 
Looks to me like it's down inside the frame rail. Looks pretty wet down there too. Early in the vid you can see smoke coming out the bottom. I never did see it coming from exhaust at all.

Nate
 

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