Farmall H Engine Gaskets

Am replacing a number of gaskets on my 44H. The cylinder head gasket and the valve cover gaskets are shot and neet to be replaced. When I took the valve cover off it looked as if everything was pretty good shape. However, the valve levers don't have hardly any clearance between the springs.... The 4 bolts that mount the valve lever shaft were loose and it looks as if the nuts underneath the shaft that secure the cylinder head need tightening as well. If the lever shaft and cylinder head is removed to replace the gasket, does anything need to be readjusted, or do I just tighten everything down?

My main concern is removing things, replacing gaskets and repainting and then having something go bad because it wasn't tightened or clearanced properly.

The water pump flange is basically rusted and needs replaced. The bottom pulley that goes into the crankcase seems to be rusted as well. It looks as if there is a pin or set screw in a nut that secures the pulley in place, but that seems rusted as well. It is a good size nut as the largest wrence size I have is 1" 1/4 and won't fit.

Any tips for someone that doesn't know what he is doing? Thanks.

pull the rocker shaft off the head and then take a look at the valve springs. they should all be about equal. if you are pulling the head, i would have the valves and guides checked at this time, may need a valve job. when replacing the head, back off the adjusters on the rocker arms before tightening the rocker shaft down. the set the valves. water pump pulle flange needs a good soaking in penetrating oil, (i use pb blaster) then work it loose. chech the archives on the water pump, there are lots of posts on that. if you are not sure and havent worked on one before, get a service manual, there is a lot of info in them. the i&t manual is pretty good. this site sells manuals up at the top left in the store.

Sounds like it wasn't running prior your beginning work? If you don't have one you really should get a manual. Not expensive and will be a great aide in your bringing her back to life. They are available here on this site, but better ones are at external_link.