OP
oldtimer 66
Gold Member
Back to the " L shaped " gasket and shim. I did some calculations on the coefficient of expansion between the cast iron block and cylinder head versus the aluminum FEC. At a 150 deg. F differential the FEC moves .017 more than the cast iron block and cylinder head. I used 60 deg. as a starting temp and 210 deg. F as operating temperature. Roughly measuring the cover is approx. 18" long, that is it's vertical height. Now when you look at the location of the FEC noting that the bottom flange sets directly on the oil pan ( gasket also ) the FEC is some what pined/ doweled at the lower flanged end. The oil pan itself is a structural member/ heavy cast iron member and not a light weight stamp steel piece. That in it's self cause the majority of the expansion to be in the vertical plane from the oil pan up. There is also a horizontal expansion component. What this says is every time you use your tractor and it gets to operating temperature and then it cools down that " l shaped " gasket is seeing this .017 type of movement. That causes fretting over time and eventually gasket failure. More to follow.