A head installation

[montidale]

I am about to install a head on a 1946 John Deere A. There were no washers under the head bolts when I removed the head. They sent copper washers with the gasket set. Should I use the copper washers or go with no washers? The manual I have says use lead washers. Also I plan on putting the metal side of the head gasket towards the block,

 

[Mark-Ia]

Get your lead washers from Deere. K2080R

 

[Mike M]

AGREED , used lead washers the copper ones don't work right I tried them.

 

[jd man wis]

On my pulling tractor I used steel washers with some automotive gasket sealer on the head buy the stud then washer and nut.iv never had any leaking around them. The lead washers are the right way to go but we need to make it to a pull and doing this worked.

 

[montidale]

I stopped by John Deere this morning and picked up some lead washers. Thanks for the replies. I talked to a Machine Shop operator who recommended putting copper coat on the head gasket. My IT manual recommends 125 or 150 foot pounds torque depending on the type of studs in the head. Im thinking of going with 150. I had hoped to put the head on today. But the new manifold I ordered had a flaw in the casting so I had to have them send me a new one. Hopefully it will come tomorrow.