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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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sjrogers1
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 36 Arkansas
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2009-08-11          164857


I have a blown head gasket on a NT304C. I have everything removed including all 11 head bolts. Northern in the manual only show 8. We can't get the cylinder head to let loose. Any tips?



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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2009-08-11          164858


Any threaded holes you could install bolts in and connect up a cherry picker to lift? ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky
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2009-08-11          164860


As I'm sure you already suspect, the mushy head gasket is sorta gluing the head to the block. To loosen mine, I got a 2x4 stub (wood) and a 3 lb sledge hammer. Put the wood against the side of the head, banged on it with the hammer. Tapped around both sides of the head - and the front (no room in the back), till the gasket decided to let loose.

//greg// ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2009-08-12          164865


Our mechanic is a funny old curmudgeon. He has more sneaky tricks for doing things than anyone I've ever seen.

For sticky head gaskets holding the head in place he uses the engine itself to do the work for him. He takes apart everything as normal, but leaves the head bolts in, but very loose. Then he puts compressed air to the holes where the fuel injectors used to be. Even just a 100 psi will pop the head loose. If it's really stubborn use Greg's trick while the air pressure is still applied, the two will work for sure.

Best of luck.
....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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sjrogers1
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 36 Arkansas
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2009-08-12          164867


We did have a chain hoist hooked up to the head, but couldn't get it to move. We also tried pounding a putty knife in a back corner, but couldn't pry on the putty knife. Will try the wood and sledge in a couple of weeks. Also maybe a longer, thicker, stronger scaper. I assume there are dowel pins, if so how many. ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2009-08-12          164882


Been long time but a twist off of Murf's (which you can control better) is to turn the engine over and let the compression break it loose. As I said been a long time but am sure those head bolts need to be say finger tight to begin with. May could do it turning it over by hand or impact wrench which to me would be safer. But, get a friend to look at it for you to be 100% sure all bolts are out, a set of female eyes normally see such better than male eyes do. ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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sjrogers1
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 36 Arkansas
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2009-08-17          165003


Assuming I get the head off I notice that Northern mentions replacing the head bolts. Is that necessary? I'm going to try different as in thicker prying devices to put between the head and cylinder block. Also may try the 2x4 and big hammer. Boy is the head ever stuck. ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky
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2009-08-17          165024


Those instructions assume the stretchable (for lack of the proper word) head bolts. They're generally one-time use, and never get retorqued anyway. But unless Northern actually changes head bolts before selling their machines, that just sounds like they're trying to sell unnecessary headbolts.

Cuz as far as I know, the Chinese still use old-fashioned reusable steel headbolts. As such, they should be retorqued within 50 hours or so after the head is removed for any reason. It's the same principle that applies to wheel lug nuts. Your balance and rotate service order typically recommends retorquing after 25 miles.

//greg// ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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sjrogers1
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 36 Arkansas
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2009-09-03          165417


Called Northern today and they said there is not reason to change head bolts. The head is still stuck. Finally took it to a mechanic who will now repair tractor. Thanks for the help. ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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sjrogers1
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 36 Arkansas
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2009-09-29          166046


Our mechanic finally found the other 4 head bolts. They were hidden under the injector hold-down bracket. Northern shows 8 on their diagram, he took out 15. It is now fixed and running. Will retorque at 20 hours. ....


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NT304C cyclinder head stuck

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greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky
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2009-09-30          166068


Thanks for the followup. Too many times folks never return to these forums to detail the actual solution.

An "injector hold-down bracket" is a new one on me. With mechanical injection, I can't quite feature that descriptive. In your case I believe that there are still only 8 (3 cylinder) or 10 (4 cylinder) actual headbolts. Perhaps the rocker arm bolts go through the cylinder head and into the block (?)

//greg// ....


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