Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do?

   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #11  
What I meant was if the engine is not turned over and valves lash adjustment is measured and put back exactly the same spot then the valve adjustment will not be effected.

Yeah, you were clear on that part. But it's bad advise. Procuring the valve lash spec isn't difficult or expensive and using the correct spec rather than duplicating lash that maybe hasn't been checked or adjusted in 30 years will not take any more time or effort than half a****g the job.
 
   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #12  
Yeah, you were clear on that part. But it's bad advise. Procuring the valve lash spec isn't difficult or expensive and using the correct spec rather than duplicating lash that maybe hasn't been checked or adjusted in 30 years will not take any more time or effort than half a****g the job.

I could not disagree with your logic. As they say" you don't know what you don't Know". Perhaps, I should have been even more clear. I wanted ray to realize the importance of lash adjustment. I always try to break things to smaller components before I have a plan of attack. I believe Ray will be able to find the actual cause to decide on the cure.
 
   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #13  
Ray,

Look at the pics below after you take the head cover that's what you will find. The camshaft is inside the block and it is geared to crankshaft gear. it is timed together and that's why guys commented on " timing is unaffected". You do have one push rod per valve , two valves per cylinder (exhaust and intake). Once the rocker arm assembly is removed and push rods pulled out then the head is ready to be removed. You do not need to remove the valves, although some guys might on take the opportunity to do a valve job while all is open. That work you can easily farm out and should not be too expensive. Between top of each valve and rocker arm there is gap requirement that need to be adjusted and the adjustment nut torqued to spec. I can copy that instruction for you and post.

Just make sure you find the root cause first.

Ps. Out of curiosity I checked my valve lash adjustment several years ago without loosening anything. it was right at owner's manual spec after 35years. I have only 1300 hrs on my 1700.

tractor 029.JPG103_5402.JPGtractor 026.JPG
 
   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do?
  • Thread Starter
#14  
Thanks JC. I am a bit slow to get back working on this. Your pictures will help. It may not be as tough of a job as I thought, if I have to do it. I am hoping it is not the head gasket. I bought my 1700 new in 1979 and have only 1147 hours on it. I put 4 new tires on it last fall and it is in good shape for the age. Am trying to get it ready for all the snow we are going to get in January and February. Priced out a head gasket on the internet and the price was running around $160. They must be made out of gold. Ray
 
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   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #15  
Thanks JC. I am a bit slow to get back working on this. Your pictures will help. It may not be as tough of a job as I thought, if I have to do it. I am hoping it is not the head gasket. I bought my 1700 new in 1979 and have only 1147 hours on it. I put 4 new tires on it last fall and it is in good shape for the age. Am trying to get it ready for all the snow we are going to get in January and February. Priced out a head gasket on the internet and the price was running around $160. They must be made out of gold. Ray

Ray,

I sure hope it is not the head gasket. Your rig is just being broken in @ 1150 hrs:D, Have seen several 1700 with close to 4000 hrs on the meter. $160 is totally outrageous. Price out total overhaul gasket, that might come out cheaper , you never know. I do a bit of research too. Taking the valve cover off should take no more than 5 minutes, may be you see some sign when you do that. Since you don't have overhead cam on 1700 it really makes the job quite more manageable. Now this is a suggestion and perhaps I get some negative comment about it which is fine. When I was in college I had a 1977 buick skylark and it started to leak ever so slight amount of antifreeze from heater core. It was very difficult to change out the core due to having lack of tools and experience. A part shop guy suggested to me to use some " stop leak" in the radiator. I followed his suggestion, put he stuff in, ran the car for an hr or so driving around and it got hot enough and sealed the tiny leak. I then replaced the whole coolant. That never leaked for another 15-20 years before I sold the car. If you indeed have a small leak that might be a cure. Again, if you have not overheated the engine then I would really look hard to eliminate all other potentials. Milky oil in the crankcase is a good indicator. Engine oil in the coolant is another one. At the end valve lash adjustment is not a big deal even if you have never done it. Good luck.

JC,
 
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   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #16  
Ray,

I sure hope it is not the head gasket. Your rig is just being broken in @ 1150 hrs:D, Have seen several 1700 with close to 4000 hrs on the meter. $160 is totally outrageous. Price out total overhaul gasket, that might come out cheaper , you never know. I do a bit of research too. Taking the valve cover off should take no more than 5 minutes, may be you see some sign when you do that. Since you don't have overhead cam on 1700 it really makes the job quite more manageable. Now this is a suggestion and perhaps I get some negative comment about it which is fine. When I was in college I had a 1977 buick skylark and it started to leak ever so slight amount of antifreeze from heater core. It was very difficult to change out the core due to having lack of tools and experience. A part shop guy suggested to me to use some " stop leak" in the radiator. I followed his suggestion, put he stuff in, ran the car for an hr or so driving around and it got hot enough and sealed the tiny leak. I then replace the whole coolant. That never leaked for another 15-20 years before I sold the car. If you indeed have a small leak that might be a cure. Again, if you have not overheated the engine then I would really look hard to eliminate all other potentials. Milky oil in the crankcase is a good indicator. Engine oil in the coolant is another one. At the end valve lash adjustment is not a big deal even if you have never done it. Good luck.

JC,

This "stop leak" advice is most definitely worth a try.
 
   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #17  
   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #18  
Links,

this one for $90

Cylinder Head Gasket for Ford/New Holland 1, 16, 17 and Shibaura Compact Tractors


$60 here

Gaskets for Ford/New Holland Compact Tractor Engines

I just googled " Ford 1700 tractor gasket kit", you can also call some of this outfits. I did get some steering parts from Steven tractors and they are decent folks.

I had trouble with Stevens Tractor/Reliable Tractor Parts (sister companies) some time ago.
They shipped a new wheel/rim to me, and it arrived damaged.
Had to fight with them (customer service -Vicki as I recall) to get a replacement.
 
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   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do? #19  
I had trouble with Stevens Tractor/Reliable Tractor Parts (sister companies) some time ago.
They shipped a new wheel/rim to me, and it arrived damaged.
Had to fight with them (Vicki as I recall) to get a replacement.

I have to refer to my files but bought lower and upper bearing for my steering box to overhaul. CNH had similar bearing for both upper and lower and on of my actual damaged bearing was slightly different. The guy, can't remember researched it and found deep in their catalogs that there was a variance there. I gave him ID, OD in mm and he was able to find the right one and sent it to me. He was very polite and helpful.
JC,
 
   / Ford 1700 head gasket replacement, how hard to do?
  • Thread Starter
#20  
I was able to test run my 1700 today to check for antifreeze leaks at the head gasket. I found one external leak at the thermostat gasket that I had just replaced. Did not see any other external leak. I had replaced the water pump at the same time as the thermostat. There may be an internal head gasket leak which is undetermined at this time. Checked the oil and it is not milky but looks like it shows a higher level on the dipstick. It still looks black, I couldn't tell if it had antifreeze in it. Ran the engine long enough to open the thermostat, the temperature gauge showed normal operating temp and the oil light did not come on. Now I need to replace the thermostat gasket next. (need a good source for the gasket), then thinking about changing the oil and filter. I need some advice about this and more info about possible using stop leak to seal, if necessary. Ray
 

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