Re- torque or not?

[Supera]

I bought a Farmall Super A and it is leaking a bit of oil from the head gasket. The engine is running very well with an even compression of 130psi on each cylinder. The engine as been rebuilt with 3 1/8" pistons in the 70'. Should i re-torque the head or should i change the head gasket?

 

[Welding man]

What have you got to loose by trying to re torque it, but a little time? If it works,it
works, if it doesn't you pull the head. No big deal either way.

 

[Supera]

Thanks for the reply.
I thought it may break the gasket.
You're right, I don't have much to loose other then the cost of a gasket.
It's just that I don't have much time to do the job for now.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Can't hurt by trying. I would suggest backing them off a half turn first to get an accurate torque.

 

[Supera]

Good advice.
Thanks

 

[MI-Bill]

I'm a Ford guy, so pardon my ignorance, but isn't the super A an overhead engine? So is the it the valve cover or the head gasket leaking oil? A head gasket problem would typically result in anti freeze or water getting into your oil resulting in a slimy whitish grey oil. Or less likely some evidence of oil in your radiator. So is it your valve cover leaking oil? over tightening the bolts can distort the cover and make the leak worse. On a flathead engine it is fairly difficult for oil to get past the rings and or valve guide seals to escape around the head gasket.