I am restoring a Farmall MD and am finally starting the reassembly process. The sleeves I took out of the engine stuck out about .040" above the block which according to the manual is correct (one even stuck up .050". The new sleeves I bought from Case IH only stick up a few thousands of an inch above the top of the block. I just finished restoring a Super C and the sleeves stuck up too far and the head gasket leaked. Does anyone know why the sleeves are supposed to stick up above the block. Is it to seal the high pressure of the cylinders? Engines without sleeves have a smooth transition at the top of the cylinders. I don't see how the head gasket can compensate for .040" step at the cylinder. It seems like all the manuals I have for Farmall tractors have a different number from near nothing on the M gas to .040" on the MD.

However, will these sleeves that don't stick up above the block cause me problems on the MD. I would appreciate any information.

Roger

Yesterday I talked to the service manager at the local Case IH dealer about the sleeves and how much they should stick up. He says that the sleeve only needs to stick up enough so that you can catch your fingernail on the edge (probably only a few thousandths). The .040" must have had something to do with the old gaskets they used.
Roger

I don't know about the MD, but on the later tractors they make shims to adjust the depth of the sleeves. Check with your dealer on this. I'm
sure there is a reason why they are supposed to stick up above the block, but I can't tell you
what it is. I would say that if it says so in the manual, then that's the way it should be.

I am also rebuilding the engine in my H. It too was stuck, but the sleeves were flush with the top of the block. The new sleeves that I got are also flush with the block. I wouold not worry about the new sleeves, maybe the old ones were not in right, or somehow loosened up. It sounds like someone has been in the engine before, if the old sleeves were .040 over. So don't worry if the new sleeves don't "stick up" a little. I am not sure if this will help, but I would not be worried about

I am also rebuilding the engine in my H. It too was stuck, but the sleeves were flush with the top of the block. The new sleeves that I got are also flush with the block. I wouold not worry about the new sleeves, maybe the old ones were not in right, or somehow loosened up. It sounds like someone has been in the engine before, if the old sleeves were .040 over. So don't worry if the new sleeves don't "stick up" a little. I am not sure if this will help, but I would not be worried about

My son is also working on restoring a Farmall MD and we have also noticed that there are special specifications for the MD. It was an early design diesel that started without a pony engine. We would be interested in hearing how your progress is coming and your results on the head and head gasket. My son has had to replace the block, put in new sleeves, new pistons, rings, bearings, etc. Expensive!

expensive but look at what you are going to have when you are done