Oliver 1655-head gasket and restoring

[Danny Farmer]

Hey everyone, I am a 24 and I just bought my first tractor! I bought a Oliver 1655 Gas. Unfortunately, the previous owner told me that this tractor has had some problems with a head-gasket. He said it should probably be replaced. Any ideas on how to do this? Also, is there any way to swap a diesel motor in place of the gas motor?

I am also interested in restoring this tractor. I am from Charles City, IA and this tractor was made in Charles City! I was very excited to see this! However I do not know a thing about restoring tractors. Can anyone give me some tips/hints/help?? This tractor is missing its original air filter and seat. Some of the gauges do not work also.
 

[Josh in Pa]

Danny,
I think you should buy the I&T shop manual for your tractor. $25 or so. It will go over most of the service procedures. I would want to know why the head gasket failed though. Is the head warped, was it overheated, is the head cracked? A diesel engine could be installed, but I think that their may be some other differences too. (Radiator, hood, and air cleaner???) I think getting the gas engine going is a better option.
Josh
 

[B A Star]

Danny:
Talk to Maryann and the people at the Floyd County Museum. They have all the information from the plant.  They can get you with some of the guys in the area that can help you, Dean R. has restored several tractors, he live just across the street from the park to the south of hte Museum.
 

[D G Wells]

Danny, If you remove the head, have a machine shop check it thoroughly and magna-fluxed for cracks. And be sure to have it resurfaced so it will hold the gasket better. Clean the top of the block and using a large mill file carefully smooth the block surface removing any high spots. Careful not to scratch any grooves with the file, keep it flat. Sometimes holding emery cloth under the file cleans the surface better without scratching. Hope it turns out well for you. ---Derrol in Texas---
 

[J. Schwiebert]

Before you take the head off, make sure you have a head gasket that leaks. They can leak compression, coolant and or oil. Run the tractor and observe for these leaks. Probably the most common is oil seaping out of the right side. More questions? J.