cylinder head shaving

[Dan in Mich]

I have a 1944 john deere A with 6.5to 1 comp.alum pistons w/gas head. How far can I shave this head down. thanks

 

[Husker44A]

The real question is how far DO you really need to shave it down? These heads can be taken down a lot. I have witnessed almost 1/8". But normally you can have .10 to.20 taken off to clean it up and be square. Are you trying to get more compression for a puller. I have a 44 A thats a hand start just like yours. I would also like to get some head work done and new set of 60 L/P pistons. To give it some more umph. But, at my 160lb frame I don't think I get even start it if I did that. Would be fun to pull with a "G" or a "60".

 

[toot]

you can go .150 easy or get a later head from the 47-52 series that already has the smaller combustion chamber. Or.. you can shave the later head down .150 and have that much more. keep in mind if you do the second suggestion, head studs will probably have to be changed as well as a slight shortening of the pushrods. You would also need the later oil washer that supplies the line to oil rockers.

 

[Dan in Mich]

Thanks for info, this engine has also been bored to 125thousands and dynos at 42 horse but we always want more.and this is a hand start,thank god for petcocks.

 

[2-banger]

the hd on my a,50 and 60 are cut .150...you can go as much as .200 my a with .125 pistons and hd cut .150 blew 155psi and made 49hp...my 60 with hd cut .150...125 pistons and rods cut and lengthened blows 220psi makes around 60 to 65 but weve done alot of hd work and gasket matching. if you cut hd and got a good murphys manifold for your a. it would help..id also grind eye brows out of hd to unshroud valves..clean up any rough castings in hd..you could get ove 50hp out of it

 

[The Dukester]

2-banger, I've got a '47 late styled A I'm going to overhaul this year. It's currently got a .045" overbore..but it's worn out of round pretty bad and starting to blowby pretty bad (I knew it was when I had the head off 9 years ago, but I had to put my money into other stuff to get the tractor going) So I guess I'll have it bored to the max...for the largest aluminum pistons I can get. I 'spose that's .125" over. Anyhow, how much can I shave the head (I presume it's stock now) and still burn regular gas and not have gasket sealing problems? I'll have the block checked and surfaced if necessary too. Do you suggest grinding away the eyebrows while I've got the head off too? Thank you very much for any and all advice.