replacing head on jd420

[steve j fairfax va]

I have a jd 420 that has water in the oil, though there does not appear to be a leak in the radiator? Around the manifold this morning I saw boiling vapor escaping. I am assuming it is a head gasket.
How hard is this to do? I currently only have typical wrenches etc. I am mechanically inclined but have a lack of time. How hard is it to replace? Also Hydraulics seem excessively noisy. Do I need to bleed?

Thanks

Steve

 

[Husker44A]

Steve....Not to be rude but, if you do not have a book BUY ONE your going to need it. Shouldn't be that hard. Drain antifreeze, remove hood,valve cover, loosen rocker arms,remove pushrods. Put them in a box the way they come out of the engine. They need to be re-installed in the same order they come out. Not really familar with the 420's but might have to remove carb also. Then unbolt the head lift it off. while you have the head off should have the head checked out also might have burnt valves.

 

[steve j fairfax va]

Thanks Husker, I do have the manual.
I can"t figure out where the water is coming from. I have not added water to the radiator in a month. I did have the tracto parked outside but I have one of those curved mufflers with a flapper. I am going to drain the oil and flush and see if I get more water. May have just been a horizontal rain?

As for the hydraulic chatter. Any suggestions? I am using the straight 10w for hydraulic, should I use something heavier? There is a small leak but everything works on it?

 

[Dave H]

on the hydro chattter, I would check all the junctions on the ruturn line for suction leaks.

 

[Jay Oakes]

I had antifreeze in the oil on my JD 330 which is close to JD 420 engine, but without water pump. Tore apart and head gasket looked good. I had head checked for cracks-non were found. Put it together with new head gasket and I have no antifreeze in oil after 4 months. Assume head gasket was bad but couldn't see where. Don't know what happened to old gasket-head bolts were tight when removed to see what problem was.
Put new gasket in your engine and torque head bolts (85-95 ftlb) and assemble it enough for engine to run, fill radiator and run engine daily till warmed up and let it sit. Check oil daily for water for a week or so. No water, complete assembly of tractor. If water is found there is a crack in block or head or gasket didn't seal.
Have fun