Head Gasket

[706 Farmall]

I am rebuilding a John Deere L engine. The head gasket I removed was a metal type gasket, the New One from John Deere is just material fiber. Is this really going to hold up and seal? The John Deere dealer said that is how they are made now. I am worried that it will not last. Thanks for your comments.

 

[JIM MN]

The engine in your JD-L tractor is a Hercules. There are three head gaskets for that engine by serial number. Before S/N L624999, use AL2148T. S/N after L625000 on, use AL2306T. S/N L640000 on AL2651 head gasket. Make sure you got the head gasket for that engine? As you say, I would want a metal head gasket as the old one was! If have too, use another supplier. You are thinking right.

 

[706 Farmall]

The engine in your JD-L tractor is a Hercules. There are three head gaskets for that engine by serial number. Before S/N L624999, use AL2148T. S/N after L625000 on, use AL2306T. S/N L640000 on AL2651 head gasket. Make sure you got the head gasket for that engine? As you say, I would want a metal head gasket as the old one was! If have too, use another supplier. You are thinking right.

I am told it is not the Hercules motor. The Hercules has a separate bell housing and motor, this is all one piece. The dealer told me this was a John Deere engine. There is no serial number on the tractor.

 

[Pete in MD]

I am told it is not the Hercules motor. The Hercules has a separate bell housing and motor, this is all one piece. The dealer told me this was a John Deere engine. There is no serial number on the tractor.

Okay, you have a JD engine with a one-piece engine/bell housing . Look in the parts catalog to see if there are more than one head gasket for your JD engine. If there are more than one ask your dealer to get all of them so you can compare them with your original metal gasket. If there is only one gasket for the JD engine, verify the catalog part number with the part number on the gasket you received from your dealer.

 

[wore out]

I am rebuilding a John Deere L engine. The head gasket I removed was a metal type gasket, the New One from John Deere is just material fiber. Is this really going to hold up and seal? The John Deere dealer said that is how they are made now. I am worried that it will not last. Thanks for your comments.

The original gaskets were metal top and bottom with asbestos sandwiched in between.

That doesn't "fly" anymore.

An updated gasket (from DEERE, no less) should have no problem sealing the cylinder head on that low HP, LOW compression engine!

 

[rustred]

I am rebuilding a John Deere L engine. The head gasket I removed was a metal type gasket, the New One from John Deere is just material fiber. Is this really going to hold up and seal? The John Deere dealer said that is how they are made now. I am worried that it will not last. Thanks for your comments.

you will be just fine, its a gas engine. geez them ih 282 cid diesel engines are fiber also and that is one engine where the head gasket is always a test. the old victor gasket was fiber also and a better gasket , now they are felpro and they dont hold up near as good but they do work with a very meticulous head job. you have nothing to worry about ,... say 100 psi, compared to 400 psi. spray both sides with felpro high tack sealer ! also many of these fiber gaskets have the sealer biult right into them and its the heat that seals things up.