Head Gasket

PLJohnson · Jan 27, 2001

Does any one have a source for head gaskets for a Ford 1500.
The dealer wants $100 for the thing. Seems like robbery.
If thats what it costs OK but I hate to give up that much money for a headgasket if I can get it cheaper.
Thanks

paccorti · Jan 27, 2001

A headgasket is $1000! Where do they make this thing... in orbit on the space shuttle? Is it fabricated like a semi-conductor in a clean room!!? I've never heard such a ridiculous thing. Any chance the dealer misunderstands you and is talking the whole head (installed)? I'll ask my local dealer if you want...

Peter

TomG · Jan 28, 2001

I'd say that a head gasket is fairly manufacturer specific, and finding a after-market supplier is doubtful. However, the 1500 engine probably is made by Shinbura (Never can remember how to spell it). Some dealers have contact with the manufacturer in Japan and can get engine parts that for Shinbura tractors that are different from the Ford parts. However, I imagine that would take forever and wouldn't cost less.

Parts for tractors may seem ridiculously expensive. However, it's good to keep in mind that we are paying a manufacturer to keep a supply of parts available for machines that may be out of production for more than 30 years, and there weren't that many made anyway. It may be a big premium to pay, but I want to keep my mid-80's tractor going.

rsislo · Jan 28, 2001

A $100 is pricey but I don’t think it is too high. Recently I replaced the head gasket on my 60hp 4 wheel drive hot rod and the after market head gasket cost me over $45. I did find one cheaper at http://www.carparts.com but would have to pay for shipping and wait for it to get here.

Call a few other dealers at $100 I sure would. You might save enough to make a longer drive to go get it worth your time and $.

Roger

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rsislo on 01/28/01 08:11 AM (server time).</FONT></P>

Thomas · Jan 28, 2001

Unfortunate thats about the going price, /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
and even yesterday's tractor gasket sets run about $100.oo plus. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

It might be worth checking out good machine shop near by,in which they might be able to cut your gaskets.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jan 28, 2001

I'm sure the $100. is a "top-end" gasket "kit" not just one gasket, but...

I'd call a couple more places for pricing to keep everyone honest and if you have to... you have to... you end up biting the bullet and pay the price for the "right" part.

That's too much work to play around with experimenting with "other" gaskets. That $100. only hurts once... and after the little gal is up and running, you'll have a smile on your face, sitting in that tractor seat, working her again...

paccorti · Jan 28, 2001

I must be insane. I saw $1000 not $100. Must be time for new contact lenses...

Peter

jimmoore · Jan 28, 2001

The head gasket for my 1980 Ford 1700 cost me $60.00 a year a go. I get my Ford parts through the Case/ International dealer here in town.

jim

caddison · Jan 28, 2001

That could have been for what they call a "head set". This would include your head gasket, valve cover gasket and stem seals as well as any other misc. gaskets you might need for the removal and replacement of the head . Usually NAPA or most major auto parts stores carry gaskets for most ag applications. Make sure you have your head checked for warpage and cracks while you have it off. Nothing more frustrating than cleaning the 'ol kid up and putting her together and blowing her again. Seen it happen many times. A reputable machine shop can save you some cash in the long run.

jimmoore · Jan 29, 2001

CLIFF. you are right about a good machine shop being able to save you money! Last year my 1700 became hard to start and I checked the compression and it was zilch. I pulled the head and the valves were burnt. Aso the valve seats in the head were burnt and pitted to much to clean up. A new bare head cost $700.00. I talked to an old time JD mechanic and he gave me the name of a machine shop in a nearby town. I took the head over there and the man told me that it would cost $100.00 to install new valve seats, but he had never done one of the small Ford heads and he did't know if it had enough "meat" to grind out for the new seats and that if he ground into the water jacket, it would be my problem. I am a gambling man so I told him to go ahead. If it worked it would save me $600.00 dollars and if it didn't a new head would wind up costing me $800.00. He called me the next morning and said everything went just fine, to go by the Ford place and buy 4 new valves and springs and he would install then and seat the valves at no exra cost. I really lucked out. Talk about stepping in a cow pile and walk out smelling like a rose!!

jim