Thinking out loud -TO30 head gasket

Jimmydog · Mar 31, 2022

Hi gang, my little Fergy is a barn find that took a bit of time to get up and running. It runs great now, but I noticed the other day some antifreeze weeping out between block and head. Not very much but still not a good sign. It stopped weeping after the tractor warmed up and I see no cloudy oil. It doesn't see much use, maybe 40-50 hours since I got it running. I got lucky in that I didn't have to open the engine just soaked the rings and checked the valve train. So, has my luck run out? I'm thinking when the weather gets a little better, I'll pull the tank and valve cover and check/retighten the head bolts. I reckon I should do this when the engine is cold. So, wishful thinking on my part? Just kicking the can down the road? Anybody have any experience with something similar? Any other ideas? Thanx.

JD

Steve@Advance · Mar 31, 2022

That would be my first plan of attack.

Seems I remember there are some bolts tucked up under the pushrod side that need a crows foot to put a
torque wrench on them.

The best method to do a retorque is to ever so slightly back the bolt off, one at a time, just enough to
feel it give but not relax the grip, then take it down to torque.

I would do it with the engine up to temperature. You can rig up a nurse tank to run it while the tank is
off.

And set the valves while you're in there.

NIK OWEN · Mar 31, 2022

GET PACK OF 6 PELLETS, FOR GM CARZ...SHOULD HEAL HER...BE BLESSED, GRATEFUL, PREPARED...

Jimmydog · Apr 1, 2022

Steve, thanks for the reply. Do it with the engine up to temp....that was my thinking, but my friend had me talked into doing it cold. I think I'll go with my first instinct and warm the thing up. Yeah the valves were okay last time I looked, but it doesn't cost any money to throw a feeler gauge on em.

Thanx,
JD

Jimmydog · Apr 1, 2022

Nik, thanks for the input. I never heard of 6 pellets so I looked it up; so basically Bars Stop Leak. I mentioned that as a possible last resort to my friend the other day, and he went off on a rant about how it'll gum up the radiator. I've used the stuff before and never had any issues with it. If tightening the head bolts down don't work I'll probably give it a try. I'd like to at least get my garden plowed up before/if I have to tear the head off.

Thanx,
JD

Bret4207 · Apr 1, 2022

If re torquing doesn't work I'd pull the head and coat the gasket with copper sealer before pouring a bars leak type product in there. In fact, I'd buy a new gasket AND coat it with copper before I did that.

glennster · Apr 1, 2022

i bought a torque wrench adapter when i did my to20 cylinder head to access some of the head bolts. napa or amazon has them. here is a
link
torque adapter

showcrop · Apr 1, 2022

I had an Oliver 70 with the Continental once that was weeping a little. Just a few drops. I backed each one off a tiny bit one at a time as Steve posted and re-tourqued them and the leak stopped.

Jimmydog · Apr 4, 2022

Bret, yeah I'm hoping it works cause I'm of the feeling that once you pull the head, you're in for a penny you're in for a pound.

Jimmydog · Apr 4, 2022

Glenster. thanks for the heads up. I have a couple Napa stores around my area, and more than enough empty beer cans to afford one of those.

Jimmydog · Apr 4, 2022

Showcrop, thanks for chiming in. I guess I'll do the backing off a smidgen thing, and if it doesn't work I'll blame you and Steve. Heh heh.

Phil-mar Farms · Apr 8, 2022

Bars Stopleak was my dads go to for sealer. He had a story
about a WW 2 submarine. The engine had a leak so they
used Bars Stopleak and they were able to keep running and
finish their mission

Thinking out loud -TO30 head gasket

Jimmydog

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NIK OWEN

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Jimmydog

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Bret4207

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showcrop

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