'81 LF Project Revived

[Invader440]

BTW, what kind of engine oil are you running in the side gear case? 5w30, 10w30, Synthetic?

Thanks again,

KV

I run 5W30 in my Intruder gear case.

[Matt]

Sorry, one last thought...

I have read here numerous times that the NOS gasket kits are the best... Those would be all minimum 28 years old, still new in the box, no?

Then my seals in the motor that are approx 8 years old should be ok, no?

...or did JD continue building parts after 1984??

Regardless, I can't imaging any NOS LF parts are less than 20 years old...

Thanks,

KV

Well, how far apart is your engine? Could you remove the clutch and ignition and at least visually inspect the seals to make sure they didn't rot? You are correct about the NOS gaskets. I've actually read stories that go both ways - people who tried Winderosa head gaskets and couldn't get it right and switched to NOS, and people who tried NOS and it didn't work, and switched to Winderosa. No parts were made after '84.

[JDboy99]

Engine is currently sitting on bench with loose heads and no clutch.

I can see the seal on the clutch side and doesn't look to have any cracks at all.

Thanks,

KV

[harleysportster]

Engine is currently sitting on bench with loose heads and no clutch.

I can see the seal on the clutch side and doesn't look to have any cracks at all.

Thanks,

KV

What you are looking at is the outer seal of the oil pump gear case. The more important seal is on the inside.

[JDboy99]

I know I'm going to take some heat for this, but I think I will slide the jugs off, drizzle some 2S oil into the lube ports (thanks Mr Waters), put it back together and try it...

2 Questions:

What is the spec for quantity of gear case oil required? (will use the window as well)
What is recommended for a sealer for the head gaskets?

Thanks for all the great advice guys...

KV

[JDboy99]

Just found the manual on VintageSnow.com ...got the gear case oil spec...40ml.

Just wondering about the sealant for the head gaskets...will keep reading, but I'm sure it's not gonna be an oem recommendation.

Cheers,

KV

[Danzig]

never used sealant on head gaskets, tried it once and failed, I used yamabond on them, many moons ago. All can say is the heads need to be flat and not warped, take them to a machine shop and have them skim cut if they leak, skim cut meaning .0001's of material removed.

[kenwaters]

I believe in cinching the head gaskets. Lap the two mating surfaces, and if you are using the Winderosa paper/metal head gasket, use gasket cinch. The gasket cinch takes the place of the white silicone Deere used on their replacement gaskets.

If you are using the copper fire ring/rubber water jacket seal, paint the copper fire ring with silver paint, or tack up the copper fire ring with high temp anti-sieze paste. Lightly tack the rubber water jacket seal with petroleum jelly, and assemble.

The key is to have LAPPED surfaces that are flat. The cinch, paint, anti-sieze, and petroleum jelly are all there to promote adhesion and a good seal.

The only problem I have ever had with leaking head gaskets is on a motor that I didn't prep correctly.

[427cobra]

The NOS gaskets you read about are just the top-end gasket kits. They didnt include crank seals. The NOS head gaskets have a sealant coating on them...that tends to seal better than the after-market gaskets.

Ken has some good ideas to ensure leak-free heads.

Good luck with your project!